Development of a Life Motivation Scale in Cases of Older Adults Living Alone and Requiring Assistance

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and assess the reliability and validity of a scale measuring life motivation in older adults living alone and requiring assistance. Methods: We designed a scale incorporating general notions of desire and motivation, developmental tasks, and opinions of the professionals who supported older adults. A self-administered paper questionnaire consisting of 77 five-point Likert items was then distributed to older adults living alone who required assistance. From the collected surveys, 218 valid responses were used for the analysis. Results: We conducted a factor analysis using maximum likelihood with promax rotation, from which 4 factors and 14 items were extracted. We designated the factors as follows: "Capacity to Enjoy Life," "Capacity for Mental Adaptation," "Vitality in Daily Activities," and "Capacity to Accept and Relish Living Alone." To confirm reliability and validity, we determined a Cronbach's alpha index of .850, a test-retest reliability index of .762, criterion-related validity of .726, and model fit of GFI = .901 and AGFI = .853. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the scale developed in this study demonstrates an acceptable level of statistical reliability and validity. The scale can be easily used by both older adults requiring assistance and caregivers who help them, serving as an index to determine fluctuation in an individual's life motivation. 要 旨 目的：要支援高齢者の一人暮らし生活意欲測定尺度を開発し，信頼性・妥当性を検討すること． 方法：意欲概念や高齢者支援の専門職の意見等を基に尺度原案を作成し，一人暮らし要支援高齢者に 77 項目 5 段階のリッカート法にて自己記入式無記名質問紙調査を行い，218 名を分析対象とした． 結果：最尤法プロマックス回転にて因子分析を行った結果，4 因子 14 項目の因子解が抽出され， 〈人 生を楽しめる力〉 〈精神的適応力〉 〈生活の活力〉 〈一人暮らしを受け入れ味わう力〉と命名した．信頼 受付日：2018 年 1 月 31 日 受理日：2018 年 7 月 6 日