Perceived Burdensomeness in Older and Younger Adults: Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire.

Abstract

We evaluated measurement invariance of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-15) Perceived Burdensomeness subscale across younger and older adult age groups as well as the construct validity of the Perceived Burdensomeness subscale by comparing nomological networks across age groups. We used nested multigroup confirmatory factor analyses to address measurement invariance and Fisher's r-to-z transformations to compare correlations between perceived burdensomeness and other constructs in younger and older samples. Results generally supported measurement invariance, but signals of differences in fit in older adults were present. The INQ-15 Perceived Burdensomeness subscale exhibited a significantly lower correlation with depressive symptoms in older adults compared to younger adults. Correlations between perceived burdensomeness and all other constructs were similar across age groups. This study provides marginal support for measurement invariance of the INQ-15 Perceived Burdensomeness subscale across younger and older adults, but results also suggest age differences in the perceived burdensomeness construct.