Development of an instrument to measure stress in the older adult

The purpose of this study was to develop and carry out initial psychometric evaluation of a tool to measure stress in adults 65 years of age and older. The universe of stressors for this age group was elicited from 25 older adults, a literature review, and consultations with gerontological nursing experts. The stressors were ranked and weighted, using a Q-sort, by a sample of 43 adults 65 and over, resulting in the Stokes/Gordon Stress Scale (SGSS). The instrument was evaluated using reliability and validity measures. Test-retest reliability estimates yielded a Pearson's r ranging from .98 to .90. Coefficient alpha was .86. Pearson's r in a 1-year test of predictive validity was .36, p = .014; in tests of concurrent validity correlations ranged from .65 to .81. The SGSS can be used for clinical and research purposes to aid in assessing and planning care for the older individual.