Michiyo Hirano1, Kayoko Kawahara2, Kazuko Saeki1. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for measuring the social activities of community-dwelling older women requiring support in Japan. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A methodological study was performed of 118 older women (>65 years old) requiring support and residing in region A of Japan. MEASURES: An anonymous questionnaire was administered through individual interviews, and valid responses were obtained from 110 people. The construct validity of the resulting scale was assessed by exploratory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was tested by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the resulting scale and the existing Social Activity Index for Elderly People (SAI-E). Reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The Social Activity Scale for Community-Dwelling Older Women Requiring Support (SASOWS) was created. This scale comprised the following three subscales: "interactions with familiar people," "consulting with care service providers," and "performing proactive creative activities at home". Correlation of SASOWS with the existing SAI-E resulted in a correlation coefficient of .521 (p < .01). Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was .772, and internal consistency was observed. CONCLUSIONS: SASOWS appears to be a reliable, valid, and useful scale to measure social activities specific for older women requiring support. Future studies should continue to examine the items and usefulness of this scale.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for measuring the social activities of community-dwelling older women requiring support in Japan. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A methodological study was performed of 118 older women (>65 years old) requiring support and residing in region A of Japan. MEASURES: An anonymous questionnaire was administered through individual interviews, and valid responses were obtained from 110 people. The construct validity of the resulting scale was assessed by exploratory factor analysis. Criterion-related validity was tested by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the resulting scale and the existing Social Activity Index for Elderly People (SAI-E). Reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The Social Activity Scale for Community-Dwelling Older Women Requiring Support (SASOWS) was created. This scale comprised the following three subscales: "interactions with familiar people," "consulting with care service providers," and "performing proactive creative activities at home". Correlation of SASOWS with the existing SAI-E resulted in a correlation coefficient of .521 (p < .01). Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was .772, and internal consistency was observed. CONCLUSIONS: SASOWS appears to be a reliable, valid, and useful scale to measure social activities specific for older women requiring support. Future studies should continue to examine the items and usefulness of this scale.