Journal article
Attachment to Life: Psychometric Analyses of the Valuation of Life Scale and Differences Among Older Adults
The Gerontologist, v 56(3), pp E21-E31
01 Jun 2016
PMID: 26874189
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
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
Details
- Title
- Attachment to Life: Psychometric Analyses of the Valuation of Life Scale and Differences Among Older Adults
- Creators
- Laura N. Gitlin - Johns Hopkins UniversityJeanine Parisi - BloombergJin Huang - Johns Hopkins UniversityLaraine Winter - Villanova UniversityDavid L. Roth - Johns Hopkins University
- Publication Details
- The Gerontologist, v 56(3), pp E21-E31
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- R01 MH079814 / NIMH NIH HHS; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01MH079814 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000377608600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84974716047
- Other Identifier
- 991020111971904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Gerontology