Development, reliability, and validity of the expectations regarding aging (ERA-38) survey.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure older adults' expectations regarding aging.


METHODS
Using focus groups, cognitive interviews, and multitrait scaling analysis, we developed a 38-item survey to measure expectations regarding aging (ERA-38). The survey consisted of 10 scales, each representing a domain of expectations. We mailed the survey to 588 English-speaking patients aged 65 years and older cared for by University of California, Los Angeles-affiliated physicians.


RESULTS
Four hundred twenty-nine participants (73%) completed the survey. The mean age was 76 years; 54% were women. Most were White (76%). All scales other than Pain demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (alpha > or =.73) and item discrimination (> or =.80). Sixty-eight percent of respondents stated that all or most of the ERA-38 addressed things that were important. Construct validity was supported by correlations with age, activities of daily living, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 physical and mental component scores, and the Geriatric Depression Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable support for the reliability and construct validity of the ERA-38 was obtained in this field study of 429 older adults. This instrument should be useful to investigators interested in measuring expectations regarding aging among older adults.
Sarkisian
Catherine A
CA
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. csarkisian@mednet.ucla.edu
Hays
Ron D
RD
Berry
Sandra
S
Mangione
Carol M
CM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001290:Attitude; D003625:Data Collection / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male