Estética e felicidade na percepção de idosas usuárias de produtos de beleza

Development and psychometric testing of the Aesthetics of Everyday Life Scale in Aging (AELSA)

BACKGROUND

The aesthetics of everyday life improves physical and mental health and social communication. This study aims to develop and test a novel instrument that assesses the aesthetics of the everyday life of older adults.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study with a sequential exploratory approach was conducted from November 2021 to December 2022. Item generation and questionnaire formation were developed through interviews with older adults and a literature review (stage 1). A cross-sectional study was then conducted to test the psychometric properties of the novel scale among 380 older adults referred to Urban Comprehensive Health Service Centers (stage 2). The construct validity was tested via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and with the principal component analysis method. Internal consistency and reliability of the scale were evaluated with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest with a 2-week interval.

RESULTS

The initial scale was prepared with 39 items. In stage 2, EFA revealed a seven-factor model with 34 items. Internal consistency was acceptable for extracted sub-scales (Cronbach's alpha range: 0.67- 0.93) and the total score (0.926). The intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.90.

CONCLUSIONS

The AELSA is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the aesthetics of everyday life in older adults. the scale will help policymakers in formulating interventions to improve mental health and well-being in older adults. Moreover, Further studies is need to provide more support of construct validity.

Aesthetics of everyday life and its related factors among older adults in Kashan (2021-2022)

BACKGROUND

Aesthetics of everyday life are associated with the physical, mental, and social health of older adults, leading them to experience a successful old age. This study aimed to examine the aesthetics of everyday life and its related factors among older adults in Kashan from 2021 to 2022.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study consisted of 350 older adults who were referred to Urban Comprehensive Health Service Centers (UCHSC) in Kashan. Sampling was done by a two-stage method (cluster, random). The data collection was performed with a background information questionnaire and the Elderly's Perception of Everyday Aesthetics scale (EPEA-S). Data were analyzed using an independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression tests in the SPSS software.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 69.56 ± 6.63 years. The mean score of aesthetics of everyday life in older adults was 133.02 ± 14.73, with the family and others subscale receiving the highest score. The univariate test indicated a statistically significant correlation between age, employment status, education, income, smoking, social activities, physical activities, interest in artistic works, and the aesthetics of everyday life in older adults (P < 0.01). Multivariate linear analysis showed that age, employment status, smoking, income, social activities, physical activities, and interest in artistic works predicted and explained 28% of the variance of life aesthetics in older adults (R2 = 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

The aesthetics of everyday life of the Iranian older adults were in a good range. Healthcare providers and families of older adults can use this concept to enhance the elderly's physical, mental, and social health.