Validation of social isolation related to maturational age: elderly

The purpose of this study was to obtain expert validation of the defining characteristics used when diagnosing social isolation in the elderly and to compare these characteristics with those identified in the NANDA Taxonomy I Revised (1990) and the characteristics identified by the investigator through a literature review. A descriptive survey design using Fehring's Diagnostic Content Validity Model and a Q-Sort methodology was used. The sample consisted of 300 registered nurses (68% response rate) selected randomly from the ANA's Council of Gerontology and Community Health. Findings suggest the need for clinical validation of this diagnosis and the possible need for the addition of developmental age categories to the defining characteristics of social isolation.