Validation study of a social functioning scale: The social-SMAF (social-Functional Autonomy Measurement System).
This article aims to describe the validation studies of a social functioning scale developed recently to be possibly added to the SMAF. One hundred and one older adults presenting moderate to severe disabilities and living in two long-term care institutions (LTCI) participated in the validation studies. For the interrater reliability, 51 participants were assessed by two different nurses 24-72 h apart whereas for the test-retest reliability (n=50), they were evaluated twice by the same nurse within a 7-day interval. Convergent validity was verified (n=74) by comparing the new subscale with questionnaires of functional status (Older American Resources and Services, OARS), social participation (Assessment of Life Habits, Assessment of LIFE-H) and social support (Social Provisions Scale, SPS). The interrater reliability and test-retest study showed, respectively, good mean agreement percentages (84% and 85%) as well as good or excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-0.87 and 0.96; CI: 0.93-0.98). The social-SMAF demonstrated significant correlations with the OARS (r=-0.42), LIFE-H (r=-0.31) and SPS (r=-0.49). These results suggest that the new subscale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social functioning autonomy of the older adult.
Pinsonnault
Eugénie
E
Research Centre on Aging, Health and Social Services Centre, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, 1036 Belvédère Street South, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1H 4C4. eugenie.pinsonnault@USherbrooke.ca
Dubuc
Nicole
N
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Delli-Colli
Nathalie
N
Hébert
Réjean
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012919:Social Behavior