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a Divisions of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
b Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
c RAND Health Program, Santa Monica, CA
Correspondence: Catherine A. Sarkisian, MD,MSPH, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687. E-mail: csarkisian{at}mednet.ucla.edu.
Decision Editor: Laurence G. Branch, PhD
Purpose: To develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure older adults' expectations regarding aging. Design and Methods: Using focus groups, cognitive interviews, and multitrait scaling analysis, we developed a 38-item survey to measure expectations regarding aging (ERA-38). The survey consisted of 10 scales, each representing a domain of expectations. We mailed the survey to 588 English-speaking patients aged 65 years and older cared for by University of California, Los Angeles–affiliated physicians. Results: Four hundred twenty-nine participants (73%) completed the survey. The mean age was 76 years; 54% were women. Most were White (76%). All scales other than Pain demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (
.73) and item discrimination (.80). Sixty-eight percent of respondents stated that all or most of the ERA-38 addressed things that were important. Construct validity was supported by correlations with age, activities of daily living, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 physical and mental component scores, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Implications: Considerable support for the reliability and construct validity of the ERA-38 was obtained in this field study of 429 older adults. This instrument should be useful to investigators interested in measuring expectations regarding aging among older adults.
Key Words: Successful aging • Psychometrics • Quality of life • Expectations
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