HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sarkisian, C. A. Articles by Mangione, C. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sarkisian, C. A. Articles by Mangione, C. M.

Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-38) Survey

^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

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. P. Ziegelmann, S. Lippke, and R. Schwarzer Subjective residual life expectancy in health self-regulation. J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2006; 61(4): P195 - P201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Sarkisian, W. N. Steers, R. D. Hays, and C. M. Mangione Development of the 12-Item Expectations Regarding Aging Survey Gerontologist, April 1, 2005; 45(2): 240 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Zunker, C. Rutt, and G. Meza Perceived Health Needs of Elderly Mexicans Living on the U.S.-Mexico Border J Transcult Nurs, January 1, 2005; 16(1): 50 - 56. [Abstract] [PDF]