[An evaluation of the feasibility and validity of a scale of social assessment of the elderly].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the reliability and validity of a scale of social evaluation of the elderly.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
Sample of 1062 people from the over-65 population.


METHODS
The scale evaluated has five items (family situation, economic situation, housing, relationships and social support), and an overall score is obtained. Its reliability was evaluated by an interview with two observers, and validity by contrasting the score obtained on the scale with a reference criterion of an independent, blind assessment by a social work expert.


RESULTS
The intraclass correlation coefficient (inter-observer reliability) was 0.957. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.4467, which denoted moderate to low internal consistency. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the validity of the criterion. Nevertheless, to detect social problems in care practice, probability proportions for different levels on the scale were more useful. These ranged from 1 to 23, while in the detection of social risk they ranged from 1 to infinity.


CONCLUSIONS
The scale studied by us as a measuring instrument enables risk situations and social problems to be detected with good reliability and acceptable validity. It should be introduced into the care practice of professionals working in the social or health care of the elderly.
García González
J V
JV
Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Gijón, Area Sanitaria V, Asturias.
Díaz Palacios
E
E
Salamea García
A
A
Cabrera González
D
D
Menéndez Caicoya
A
A
Fernández Sánchez
A
A
Acebal García
V
V
D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012940:Social Problems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain
Evaluación de la fiabilidad y validez de una escala de valoración social en el anciano.