Psychometric characteristics of the minimum data set II: validity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the validity of the Minimum Data Set (MDS).


METHODS
MDS domain scores were correlated with a variety of independently obtained measures of basic behavioral and mental health functions of 513 nursing home residents.


METHODS
All participants were residents of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.


METHODS
One group of residents (n = 260) represented consecutive admissions who were able to respond to formal testing. The other group of residents (n = 253) represented presumably cognitively impaired residents whose data did not depend on self-report.


METHODS
MDS item-composite scores based on a confirmatory factor analysis were derived for the domains of cognition, activities of daily living (ADL), time use, depression, and problem behaviors. Hypotheses stating how these MDS domains should be related to standard measures of cognitive function, ADL, depression, agitation, social behavior, and irritability were tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the hypotheses were upheld, thus suggesting that the MDS is usable as a source of research data. The sizes of the validity coefficients were modest, however. Depression and problem behavior were less well affirmed than cognition, ADL, and Time Use. There is a clear need for improvement in training and probably in the form of MDS measurement in some areas.
Lawton
M P
MP
Polisher Research Institute, Philadelphia Geriatric Center, and Temple University School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 19141, USA.
Casten
R
R
Parmelee
P A
PA
Van Haitsma
K
K
Corn
J
J
Kleban
M H
MH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015982:Bias; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012919:Social Behavior