Examination of validity and reliability for prototype scale to assess achievement motive in community-dwelling healthy older adults

Abstract

Long-term care prevention is an important issue, particularly given the rapidly growing aging society. For rehabilitation, an achievement motive defined as “the intention to achieve one's goals while maintaining a standard of excellence” has been used as a means of assessment and intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and the reliability for a prototype scale for achievement motive in geriatric (P-SAMG) based on a scale for achievement motive in rehabilitation. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measure the P-SAMG, which has been accepted content validity by 8 experts, classification and assessment of occupational dysfunction (CAOD) and comprehensive environmental questionnaire for the elderly (CEQ) in 238 older adults (average age: 76.1 ± 7.2) who participated in senior clubs. The factorial validity of P-SAMG was examined using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the concurrent validity was assessed using correlative analysis, and the internal consistency reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. This study was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Kibi International University and written consent was obtained from all the participants. This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP17H07288. ESEM presented good factor loadings (first factor of item 1–5: 0.93–0.56, the second factor of item 6–10: 0.95–0.54) and the CFA presented adequate fit indices. Moreover, P-SAMG indicated a moderate or low correlation with CEQ (0.42–0.20) and a partially low correlation with CAOD (−0.20 to −0.29). Cronbach's alpha coefficient demonstrated a sufficient value for two factors and the whole scale (0.89–0.94). These results demonstrated that P-SAMG is useful in the assessment of achievement motives for older adults without rehabilitation service. Management of material or personal environment and appropriate occupational engagements was suggested as a valid strategy to improve motivation in this population.