Evaluating and applying the Multidimensional Fatalism Scale for aging and well-being research.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Health Sciences

Background:

• Fatalism is understudied in aging research, with limited validated measures.
• The Multidimensional Fatalism Scale (MFS) shows promise but requires validation in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• Validate the MFS for adults aged 65 and older.
• Examine associations between fatalism dimensions and health/well-being in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, and validity assessments of the MFS.
• Multiple regression analyses of fatalism dimensions with depression, physical functioning, and purpose in life in 476 older adults (aged 65+).

Main Results:

• MFS psychometric properties were comparable to prior studies, but dimensionality was suboptimal.
• Beliefs in ineluctable destiny and lower helplessness correlated with reduced depression.
• Beliefs in luck were associated with better physical functioning.
• Lower helplessness, higher internal locus of control, and weaker beliefs in luck predicted higher purpose in life.

Conclusions:

• MFS validation in older adults was inconclusive, necessitating further investigation.
• Certain fatalistic beliefs, such as ineluctable destiny, may have positive implications for older adults' well-being.