Development and psychometric properties of the middle-age preparation scale for healthy aging (MPHA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Investing in the preparation of middle-aged individuals for healthy old age can empower them to surmount the challenges aging. This study was conducted to create and assess the reliability and validity of a scale designed to measure the readiness of middle-aged individuals for healthy aging, referred to as the Middle-Age Preparation Scale for Healthy Aging (MPHA). The research employed a mixed sequential exploratory design. During the qualitative phase, items for the questionnaire were generated by reviewing existing literature and conducting interviews with participants. Subsequently, in the quantitative phase, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated by analyzing its face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and stability. The reliability and validity of the MPHA were tested with a sample of 440 middle-aged individuals in Tehran, Iran, in 2020. The statistical analyses performed included exploratory factor analysis, measures of internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Initially, the item pool contained 80 items, which was narrowed down to 44 items during the face and content validation phase. The structural validity assessment resulted in a final 33-item scale, encompassing five factors associated with preparation for healthy aging: financial preparation, maintenance and promotion of physical and mental health, psychological preparation, sustaining communication, and planning productive leisure time. These factors explained 60.37% of the total variance. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the overall MPHA was 0.90, and ranged from 0.79 to 0.91 for the five subscales. The MPHA exhibited satisfactory validity and reliability for assessing preparation for healthy aging in the Iranian context.