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.
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
Eugénie
E
Pinsonnault
Nicole
N
Dubuc
Johanne
J
Desrosiers
Nathalie
N
Delli-Colli
Réjean
R
Hébert
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