title: Developing a scale to measure "attachment to the local community" in late middle aged individuals.
abstract: Objectives This study was conducted to develop a scale for measuring "attachment to the local community" for its use in health services. The scale is also intended to nurture new social relationships in late middle-aged individuals.Methods Thirty items were initially planned to be included in the scale to measure "attachment to the local community", according to a previous study that identified the concept. The study subjects were late middle-aged residents of City B in Prefecture A, located in Tokyo suburbs. From the basic resident register data, 1,000 individuals (local residents in the 50-69 year age group) were selected by a multi-stage random sampling technique, on the basis of their residential area, age, and sex (while maintaining the male to female ratio). An unsigned self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the subjects, and the responses were collected by postal mail. The collected data was analyzed using psychometric study of scale.Results Valid responses were obtained from 583 subjects, and the response rate was 58.3%. In an item analysis, none of the items were rejected. In a subsequent factor analysis, 7 items were eliminated. These items included 2 items with a factor loading of <0.40, 3 items loading on multiple factors and showing a factor loading of ≥0.40, and 2 items with a low factor correlation (0.04-0.16). These items included factors that related to only these 2 items. Consequently, 23 items in the following 4-factor structure were selected as the scale items: "Source of vitality to live life," "Intention to cherish ties with people," "Place where one can be oneself," and "Pride of being a resident." Cronbach's coefficient α for the entire scale of "attachment to the local community" was 0.95, demonstrating internal consistency. We then examined the correlation with an existing scale to measure social support; the results revealed a statistically significant correlation and confirmed criterion-related validity (P<0.001). In addition, the fit indices in a covariance structure analysis showed adequate values.Conclusions The developed scale was considered reliable and appropriate for measuring "attachment to the local community."
authors.affiliation: Juntendo University Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing.
authors.forename: Taichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Omori
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mitsumori
authors.forename: Maasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Wakanako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Toshie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Anzai
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires