The Vision-Specific Optimization in Primary and Secondary Control (OPS) Scale.
OBJECTIVE
To successfully address the challenges of age-related visual impairment in rehabilitation and health care settings, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of the psychological and behavioral adaptations that occur in these populations. The purpose of this study was to modify the Optimization in Primary Secondary Control Scale (OPS) (Heckhausen Schulz and Wrosch 1999) to assess the utilization of lifespan control strategies among older adults with visual impairment.


METHODS
The Optimization in Primary and Secondary Control Scale (OPS) (Heckhausen et al. 1999) was used to develop a vision-specific version of this measure (i.e., VIS-OPS). The VIS-OPS was administered to older adults with recent vision loss (N = 364; Mean age = 82.9 years). Theory-driven confirmatory factor analysis was used to help refine the instrument and confirm the scale's four-factor structure.


RESULTS
Items were removed from three of the four VIS-OPS subscales due to low squared-multiple correlations and poor model fit. Inter-item reliabilities for the resultant subscales ranged from 0.61 to 0.72. The final four-factor model fit the data well (RMSEA = .06, 90% CI .05--.06), with all items loading significantly on their associated factors (i.e. subscales). Correlational analyses provided criterion-related validity for the VIS-OPS with disability and psychosocial functioning measures in the expected directions.


CONCLUSIONS
The VIS-OPS will allow researchers to more systematically and precisely measure control strategy use in reference to specific challenges associated with visual impairment, and may serve as a model for examining control strategy use in the context of other disabilities.
AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), and New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY.
Mark
M
Brennan-Ing
Jewish Home Lifecare, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.
Kathrin
K
Boerner
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, New York, NY.
Amy
A
Horowitz
Jewish Home Lifecare, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY.
Joann
J
Reinhardt
Adaptation; Disability; Older Adults; Psychosocial Functioning; Visual Impairment