Translation and preliminary validation of an ageism scale for dental students in Brazil (ASDS‐Braz)

Abstract

Background and Objective Ageism is a major barrier for age‐appropriate care. The aim of this study was to translate and perform a preliminary validation of an ageism scale for dental students (ASDS) in Brazil (ASDS‐Braz). Methods The 27‐item original ageism scale was translated from English into Brazilian Portuguese. A panel of five Brazilian dental educators revised the scale to establish content validity. The translated version was completed by 156 dental students in the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil. Principal component analysis, internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity were estimated. Results All items in the Brazilian Portuguese version received a content validity index score ≥0.80 indicating that they were relevant to the topic. The principal component analysis produced a 12‐item scale with three components that accounted for 51% of the overall variance. The first component contained six items associated with a negative view of older adults; the second component contained three items dealing with the complexity of providing care for older adults; and the third component contained three items associated with a positive view of older people. Discriminant validity did not show any differences related to demographic factors, the semester of studies and history of living with older people. Conclusions The preliminary validation of the ASDS‐Braz produced a 12‐item scale with three components with acceptable validity and reliability. Future research in a larger, multi‐institutional sample is now warranted.

Translation and validation of the ageism scale for dental students in Romanian (ASDS‐Rom)

“…On the other hand, attending the gerodontology course did not affect the scale's scores in any of the three produced components. Similar results regarding the associations between the amount of dental training and ageism were found in studies of US dental students 15,16 and Brazilian dental students 18 . For Greek dental students, 17 however, their level of training was positively associated with individual components and items.…”

“…The ASDS‐Braz produced a 12‐item scale with three components (Generally negative view, Complexity of providing care to older adults and Generally positive view) 18 . The Brazilian 18 and Romanian data sets shared one identical component consisting of Q5 ( I tend to pay more attention towards my elderly patients than my younger patients ), Q6 ( I tend to have more sympathy towards my elderly patients ) and Q7 ( In general, elderly people contribute a lot to society ). This shared component points towards similarities in the way that students from both countries feel about older adults in their respective populations.…”

“…When collectively comparing the Ageism Scale for Dental Students validated in Greece, 17 Brazil 18 and Romania, five items were common. These five items were value‐oriented questions about older people and the cost of dental care (Q5,6,7,16,17,19).…”

“…The ASDS has been already validated in the USA, 15,16 Greece 17 and Brazil 18 revealing variations among different dental student populations. This paper presents the validation of an ageism scale for dental students in another European country, Romania.…”

Translation and validation of an ageism scale for dental students in Switzerland

“…Recently, a 27-item ageism scale questionnaire specifically designed to assess ageism among dental students (ASDS) has been developed by American and European gerodontology educators [19,20] and validated successfully for different cultures [21][22][23]. The aim of the present study was to translate and validate the existing ASDS in German for dental students in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.…”