The factor structure of the Facts on Aging Quiz

A systematic review of existing ageism scales

Ageism has been shown to have a negative impact on older people's health and wellbeing. Though multiple scales are currently being used to measure this increasingly important issue, syntheses of the psychometric properties of these scales are unavailable. This means that existing estimates of ageism prevalence may not be accurate. We conducted a systematic review aimed at identifying available ageism scales and evaluating their scope and psychometric properties. A comprehensive search strategy was used across fourteen different databases, including PubMed and CINAHL. Independent reviewers extracted data and appraised risk of bias following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. Of the 29,664 records identified, 106 studies, assessing 11 explicit scales of ageism, were eligible for inclusion. Only one scale, the 'Expectations Regarding Aging' met minimum requirements for psychometric validation (i.e., adequate content validity, structural validity and internal consistency). Still, this scale only assesses the 'stereotype' dimension of ageism, thus failing to evaluate the other two ageism dimensions (prejudice and discrimination). This paper highlights the need to develop and validate a scale that accounts for the multidimensional nature of ageism. Having a scale that can accurately measure ageism prevalence is key in a time of increasing and rapid population ageing, where the magnitude of this phenomenon may be increasing.

Construct development, description and initial validation of the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz (KOP-Q) for nurses

BACKGROUND

Literature shows that nurses have a negative attitude toward older patients. Increasing nurses' knowledge (part of attitudes) may affect hospital nurses' attitudes and improve the quality of care for older patients. A first step is understanding nurses' current knowledge. This can be achieved by using a measurement instrument with good validity and reliability.

OBJECTIVES

This study explains the content development and initial validation of the 'Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz' (KOP-Q) for nurses, describing the first step in developing a valid and reliable instrument.

DESIGN

Qualitative method followed by 2 pilot studies.

METHODS

Open interviews were conducted with 7 scientific experts and 10 nurse specialists in gerontology, geriatrics, and/or nursing and 5 older patients, 70+ with hospital experience in the last two years. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Items were generated from literature on themes derived from interviews. A Delphi round with three nurse specialists and two researchers was organized for item reduction. Two pilot survey studies were conducted for measuring readability and face validity of the KOP-Q. Readability was examined by a Dutch language specialist and 7 nurses working on a cardiovascular ward. Face validity was tested in two hospitals with 22 nurses working on geriatric wards.

RESULTS

Identified themes were: normal aging, geriatric conditions, signaling problems in old age, interventions, family interventions, vulnerable patients versus older patients and internal motivation for learning and reflection. 185 questions on these themes were developed. After conceptualization, generation and reduction of questions in the Delphi round 52 questions remained eligible for use. Readability and face validity of this initial version of the KOP-Q proved good.

CONCLUSIONS

Content development of the KOP-Q is of good methodological rigor and each step is carefully described, therefore it can be of use for future diagnostic instrument developers, curriculum developers and educators.

Internal consistency and construct validity assessment of a revised Facts on Aging Quiz for Flemish nursing students: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Since more people are reaching older and older ages, healthcare systems are becoming in need of more and more knowledgeable nurses to meet the specific health care needs of older persons. Several instruments exist to measure and evaluate students' knowledge of older persons, ageing, and gerontological care; however, unequivocal evidence on their use and psychometric properties is scarce. The aim of the study was to validate a revised version of Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ).

METHODS

A cross-sectional, exploratory study was conducted. Palmore's FAQ version 1 and Facts on Aging Mental Health Quiz were used as bases for the development of a revised FAQ instrument. Three researchers translated these instruments into Dutch. A panel of nine experts in geriatric research and gerontological care evaluated the translation and the face and content validity of the instrument. We used a cross-sectional, exploratory design to assess its internal consistency and construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, and the known-groups technique were used for these analyses.

RESULTS

Based on the experts' consensus, a revised version of the FAQ, consisting of 36 items, was produced. Exploratory factor analysis did not reveal underlying constructs suggesting that the revised version encloses a more general concept of knowledge (e.g. about older persons, aging, gerontological care). Using the known-groups technique, we validated the instrument, showing that it discriminates between the knowledge of first- and third-year nursing students. The overall Cronbach's coefficient of 0.723 was acceptable and changed minimally (from 0.708 to 0.724) when items were removed.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the revised version of the FAQ can be used to properly evaluate nursing students' knowledge about older persons and gerontological care, as reasonable reliability and validity were established for this revised version of the FAQ.

Age Stereotypes in Middle-Aged through Old-Old Adults

The primary goal of the study was to compare adult age groups on aging bias, with measures of knowledge of aging in the physical, psychological, and social domains and life satisfaction. The study sample, consisting of 752 men and women, 40 to 95 years of age, was tested using Neugarten, Havighurst, and Tobin's (1961) Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) and Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz (1998) modified to extract bias toward older adults and categorized into 3 domains: physical, psychological, and social. Independent variables were 3 levels of LSI from the Neugarten et al. quiz. Aging bias was measured among the age groups, gender, life satisfaction, and knowledge of aging domains. Significant bias differences were found in age group, life satisfaction, and knowledge of aging domain variables. Financial, health, and volunteer status interacted with these effects. Among other significant findings, the data indicate that middle-aged adults 40–59 have the most negative bias in the psychological and social domains and the least negative bias in the physical domain compared to the older participants. Both middle aged and old-old adults have the most negative aging biases. These differential aging stereotypes (positive and negative) among the physical, psychological, and social perceptions of aging over adult age groups are interpreted within aging stereotyping and aging self-stereotyping.

Evaluation of the Facts on Aging Quizzes I & II

The Facts on Aging Quizzes (FAQ) I and II (Palmore, 1977, 1981) were designed to assess knowledge and to measure misconceptions regarding the elderly. This study compared results on the FAQ I and II administered to freshmen nursing students. In contrast with Palmore's (1981, 1988) findings, the FAQ I and II were not related (r=.04) and alpha coefficients were low (a=.45 and .32 respectively). However, use of theta coefficients (which make fewer stringent assumptions about items being parallel) resulted in values of .60 and .64 respectively. The factors emerging in this study differed from Palmore's (1977, 1981, 1988) conceptual structure and explained only 45% of the variance. Results from this study suggest that while the FAQ I and II may be useful as a stimulus for discussion, revisions and testing need to be done if they are to be used for research purposes.

The Facts on Aging Quiz: A Handbook of Uses and Results. Erdman B. Palmore. Springer Publishing Company (Series on Adulthood and Aging), New York, pp. 162, Hardcover $22.95

Ce livre, en plus de nous fournir une description du Facts on Aging Quiz 1, nous initie à deux nouvelles démarches, Facts on Aging Quiz 2 et Facts on Aging and Mental Health Quiz. L'utilité et les particularités de chaque questionnaire sont discutées et Barrisi et Brabaker présentent une critique du FAQ_l. Ces questionnaires n'ont pas été acceptés de manière absolue en tant qu'outils de recherche, particulièrement lorsqu'ils sont utilisés pour mesurer un biais d'âge. Sur le plan de l'enseignement néanmoins, le FAQ 1 a démontré son efficacité en générant des discussions et en identifiant certaines fausses notions concernant le vieillissement. Donc, l'attention que Palmore accorde au FAQ est particulièrement importante puisqu'il communique les plus récents faits contenus dans chaque questionnaire, et il nous offre des suggestions utiles dans le domaine de l'enseignement.