Development and Psychometric Validation of the Dementia Attitudes Scale. (9th March 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Connor, Melissa L.; McFadden, Susan H.
• Other Names: Debanne Sara M. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of alzheimer's disease. Volume 2010(2010)
• Publication Date: 2010-03-09
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; 616.831005
• DOI: 10.4061/2010/454218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-8024

Abstract

Abstract : This study employed qualitative construct mapping and factor analysis to construct a scale to measure attitudes toward dementia. Five family caregivers, five professionals, and five college students participated in structured interviews. Qualitative analysis of the interviews led to a 46-item scale, which was reduced to 20 items following principal axis factoring with two different samples: college students (N = 302 ) and certified nursing assistant students (N = 145 ). Confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted with another sample of college students (N = 157 ). The final scale, titled the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), essentially had a two-factor structure; the factors were labeled "dementia knowledge" and "social comfort." Total-scale Cronbach's alphas ranged 0.83–0.85. Evidence for convergent validity was promising, as the DAS correlated significantly with scales that measured ageism and attitudes toward disabilities (range of correlations = 0.44–0.55; mean correlation= 0.50 ). These findings demonstrate the reliability and validity of the DAS, supporting its use as a research tool.