Roman Kaspar1, Martina Gabrian2, Allyson Brothers3, Hans-Werner Wahl2, Manfred Diehl3. 1. Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health, Germany. 2. Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University, Germany. 3. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Existing measures of subjective aging have been useful in predicting developmental outcomes. Unlike other constructs of subjective aging, Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC) focuses on how adults' self-perceptions of aging result in an awareness of age-related gains and losses. We developed a 10-item short form (SF) of the existing 50-item AARC questionnaire as a reliable, valid, and parsimonious solution for use primarily in large-scale surveys but also in applied contexts. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: AARC was assessed in a German and North American sample of 819 individuals. Item selection for the suggested AARC-10 SF was based on multidimensional item response theory (MIRT). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test for measurement invariance (MI) across groups of participants in middle age (40-69 years), early old age (70-79 years), and advanced age (80+ years). Concurrent and discriminant validity in old age was assessed with regard to established measures of subjective aging, well-being, and health. RESULTS: The AARC-10 SF showed adequate fit to the data and reliability for the perceived gains and losses composites. Valid comparison of latent means was confirmed for early old and advanced age respondents and with some reservation also for middle-aged individuals due to partial MI. Concurrent and discriminant validity were confirmed. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The proposed AARC-10 SF offers an economic device to measure AARC and use the construct as an antecedent or outcome in the context of substantive model testing in large-scale survey data.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Existing measures of subjective aging have been useful in predicting developmental outcomes. Unlike other constructs of subjective aging, Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC) focuses on how adults' self-perceptions of aging result in an awareness of age-related gains and losses. We developed a 10-item short form (SF) of the existing 50-item AARC questionnaire as a reliable, valid, and parsimonious solution for use primarily in large-scale surveys but also in applied contexts. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: AARC was assessed in a German and North American sample of 819 individuals. Item selection for the suggested AARC-10 SF was based on multidimensional item response theory (MIRT). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test for measurement invariance (MI) across groups of participants in middle age (40-69 years), early old age (70-79 years), and advanced age (80+ years). Concurrent and discriminant validity in old age was assessed with regard to established measures of subjective aging, well-being, and health. RESULTS: The AARC-10 SF showed adequate fit to the data and reliability for the perceived gains and losses composites. Valid comparison of latent means was confirmed for early old and advanced age respondents and with some reservation also for middle-aged individuals due to partial MI. Concurrent and discriminant validity were confirmed. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The proposed AARC-10 SF offers an economic device to measure AARC and use the construct as an antecedent or outcome in the context of substantive model testing in large-scale survey data.
Authors: Serena Sabatini; Obioha C Ukoumunne; Clive Ballard; Allyson Brothers; Roman Kaspar; Rachel Collins; Sarang Kim; Anne Corbett; Dag Aarsland; Adam Hampshire; Helen Brooker; Linda Clare Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-09-21 Impact factor: 3.921