Abstract
BackgroundAnxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by the elderly that affects quality of life. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI-P) in order to provide a valid instrument for measuring anxiety in this population.MethodsForward-backward translation was used to translate the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory from English into Persian and was tested by 10 elderly to assess its face validity. Then a sample of elderly people attending health centers in Dezful, Iran completed the questionnaire. Validity was assessed using both exploratory and confirmatory factors analysis, known-groups comparison (abused and non-abused elderly) also was administered. The internal consistency of the instrument was assessed using Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficients (KR-20). Afterwards, validity through assessing the correlation between the Persian version of the GAI-P and the SF-36, was measured.ResultsIn all 720 elderly completed the questionnaire. Of these data from 420 elderly were used for exploratory factor analysis and the data from the remaining 300 elderly were used for confirmatory factor analysis. The exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor solution (cognitive, arousal and somatic) for the questionnaire that jointly explained 59.48% of the overall variance observed. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor solution and the second-order latent factor model. The findings indicated a positive and significant correlation between the two measures lending support to its concurrent validity (r = 0.67, p < .001).Ultimately, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory was found to have a favorable internal consistency.ConclusionThis study confirmed that the GAI-P is a valid measure of anxiety in elderly population and now can be used in geriatric studies in Iran.
Highlights
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by the elderly that affects quality of life
In all 720 elderly completed the questionnaire. Of these data from 420 elderly were used for exploratory factor analysis and the data from the remaining 300 elderly were used for confirmatory factor analysis
The findings indicated a positive and significant correlation between the two measures lending support to its concurrent validity (r = 0.67, p < .001).the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory was found to have a favorable internal consistency
Summary
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by the elderly that affects quality of life. Studies have shown that generalized anxiety affects 15 to 56% of adults in clinical settings [2] and is associated with depressive disorders and increased risk of mortality [3]. Psychological disorders such as anxiety and dementia in the elderly are studied less than other types of disorders and accurate prevalence and incidence remain obscure [4]. Good quality of life for older people can be defined as feeling better, doing the right thing in everyday life activities, and keep relationship with
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