Balancing practicality and validity of elder abuse identification measures: using data from adult protective services investigations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives. In testing a comprehensive decision support system for Adult Protective Services (APS), this study addressed two problems common in APS research and practice: the psychometric quality of the measures and measurement burden. Research Design and Methods. Data were generated on 1,472 APS cases over six months in two California counties using the Identification, Services and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix, a comprehensive decision support system for APS. The ISO Matrix uses Short-Forms developed from the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS). Mini-Forms were developed from the Short-Forms and tested in order to reduce measurement burden. Mini-Forms were developed on each measure using sensitivity and specificity of the items in predicting the criterion of substantiation (yes/no). Psychometric quality was addressed by estimating predictive validity and Cronbach’s alpha of Short-Forms. Predictive validity and reliability were also estimated on the Mini-Forms as was their correlation with the Short-Forms. Results. On Short-Forms, good predictive validity was found for all measures except those that were very rare. Results for even shorter Mini-Forms were mixed, and some will require further research on their reliability and validity. Discussion and Implications. Short-Forms had good psychometric properties and some Mini-Forms did as well. Ongoing adoption by several California counties and Montana demonstrates the viability and sustainability of using the ISO Matrix for research and practice.