Valuation of life: a concept and a scale.

TitleValuation of life: a concept and a scale.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsM. Lawton, P, Moss, M, Hoffman, C, Kleban, MH, Ruckdeschel, K, Winter, L
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume13
Issue1
Pagination3-31
Date Published2001 Feb
ISSN Number0898-2643
Call Numberpubs_2001_Lawton_etal.pdf
KeywordsFactor Analysis, Statistical, Humans, Psychometrics, Quality of Life, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to derive and test the psychometric characteristics of a scale to measure Valuation of Life (VOL).

METHODS: Four samples were used in successive phases of exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and validity testing, and exploration of response-error effects. Estimates of Years of Desired Life were obtained under a variety of hypothetical quality-of-life (QOL)-compromising conditions of poor health.

RESULTS: Confirmed 13-item (Positive VOL) and 6-item (Negative VOL) factors were obtained. A significant relationship between VOL and most Years of Desired Life estimates remained when demographic, health, quality of life, and mental health measures were controlled. Analysis of Negative VOL revealed that some respondents misunderstand the meaning of an agree response to negatively phrased items.

DISCUSSION: VOL is a cognitive-affective schema whose function as a mediator and moderator between health and end-of-life decisions deserves further research.

DOI10.1177/089826430101300101
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11503845?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Longevity/quality of life

Endnote ID

16260

Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key6784
PubMed ID11503845
Grant ListAG07001 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG11995 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States