Logo image
Attachment to Life: Psychometric Analyses of the Valuation of Life Scale and Differences Among Older Adults
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Attachment to Life: Psychometric Analyses of the Valuation of Life Scale and Differences Among Older Adults

Laura N. Gitlin, Jeanine Parisi, Jin Huang, Laraine Winter and David L. Roth
The Gerontologist, v 56(3), pp E21-E31
01 Jun 2016
PMID: 26874189
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv696View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze) Open

Abstract

Geriatrics & Gerontology Gerontology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology
Purpose of study: Examine psychometric properties of Lawton's Valuation of Life (VOL) scale, a measure of an older adults' assessment of the perceived value of their lives; and whether ratings differ by race (White, Black/African American) and sex. Design and Methods: The 13-item VOL scale was administered at baseline in 2 separate randomized trials (Advancing Better Living for Elders, ABLE; Get Busy Get Better, GBGB) for a total of 527 older adults. Principal component analyses were applied to a subset of ABLE data (subsample 1) and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on remaining data (subsample 2 and GBGB). Once the factor structure was identified and confirmed, 2 subscales were created, corresponding to optimism and engagement. Convergent validity of total and subscale scores were examined using measures of depressive symptoms, social support, control-oriented strategies, mastery, and behavioral activation. For discriminant validity, indices of health status, physical function, financial strain, cognitive status, and number of falls were examined. Results: Trial samples (ABLE vs. GBGB) differed by age, race, marital status, education, and employment. Principal component analysis on ABLE subsample 1 (n = 156) yielded two factors subsequently confirmed in confirmatory factor analyses on ABLE subsample 2 (n = 163) and GBGB sample (N = 208) separately. Adequate fit was found for the 2-factor model. Correlational analyses supported strong convergent and discriminant validity. Some statistically significant race and sex differences in subscale scores were found. Implications: VOL measures subjective appraisals of perceived value of life. Consisting of two interrelated subscales, it offers an efficient approach to ascertain personal attributions.

Metrics

9 Record Views
13 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Gerontology
Logo image