A Malay Version of the Attitude to Ageing Questionnaire: Its Adaptation, Validation, and Reliability in the Malaysian Older Adult Population

Abstract

Introduction:The Attitude to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) was developed to assess perceptions of the aging process among older adults. The 24 items were framed into three factors. This study aimed to translate the AAQ from English to the Malay language (AAQ-M) and determine its factorial structure and validity in a Malaysian population. Methodology: The original AAQ underwent a standard translation process, as well as content and face validation, to produce the AAQ-M. The construct validity of the AAQ-M was then assessed in 254 older adults aged 60 years and above attending a public primary care clinic in Seremban, Malaysia. Results:Exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor model for the AAQ-M with acceptable reliability and Cronbach α values ranging from 0.71 to 0.82 for each factor. A total of five items were omitted for poor factor loadings (<0.32) or because they did not conceptually fit into the factor they were loaded onto. Of the final 19 AAQ-M items, seven were physical change factors, eight were psychosocial loss factors, and four were psychological growth factors. This threefactor model explained 37.9% of the total variance. Conclusion: The AAQ-M version confirmed that the three-factor model, namely physical change, psychosocial loss, and psychological growth, was similar to that of the original AAQ. The AAQ-M is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the three aspects of attitudes toward aging in the Malaysian older adult population.

Portuguese Version of the Aging Attitudes Questionnaire (AAQ): Validation of the Psychometric Properties

“…In our study, AAQp emerges as a short and valid instrument when one intends to evaluate attitudes towards aging. As found in previous studies, both with the English [9] and non-English versions [13,21], AAQp showed overall acceptable to good reliability (with Cronbach's alphas ranging 0.77 to 0.65). Furthermore, composite reliabilities were achieved but not the convergent validity, as AVE values were lower than .50.…”

“…Moreover, using the measure of attitudes towards aging benefits development theory and may help innovate anti-ageism-based interventions [22,39]. Finally, with the measure now presented, it is possible to correlate attitudes towards aging with creative adaptability in Portuguese-speaking contexts and compare it with other cultural contexts [21,23].…”

“…Furthermore, the specialized literature in aging points out the need for further studies, not only correlational but also randomized clinical trials [20], for which valid psychometric instruments are needed. Finally, several authors [21,22] suggested studies that would bring AAQ to different cultural contexts. This being said, our work aims to address these concerns, making AAQ a stronger and more valid instrument, and allow the development of the theoretical model that connects the aging process and mental health variables [1,23].…”

“…This instrument has been translated into many other languages. Examples are the Spanish version [26], the French version [23], and, more recently, the Malay Version [21], attesting its interest and actuality. And recently, short versions of the questionnaire have been proposed [22].…”

Portuguese Version of the Ageing Attitudes Questionnaire (AAQ): Validation of the Psychometric Properties

“…Additionally, the literature in the field of ageing stresses the need for more research, especially randomized clinical trials [ 20 ], which to this extent, justifies the effort to validate and adapt valid measuring instruments. In addition, some authors [ 21 , 22 ] have even suggested conducting studies on ageism in different cultural contexts. Therefore, the present study allows both to make the AAQ a stronger and more valid instrument and develop future studies on the ageing process and mental health variables [ 1 , 23 ].…”