Psychometric Properties of Iranian Elder Abuse Questionnaire (Long Form)

Aim: Increasing elder population has ledto Elder abuse as an extensively recognized complicated general health issues. This study was carried out to examine psychometric properties of Iranian Elder Abuse Questionnaire.

Methodology: This study was performed within two steps using combined qualitative-quantitative method. At first step, authors interviewed psychologists and elderly people using phenomenology method to determine the concept of elder abuse. Then the questionnaire was developed to address elder abuse. At second step, validity of instrument and internal consistency of questionnaire were examined. Statistical population consisted of all elder persons living in Alborz Province in Iran; of them, 400 members were selected as sample members using convenient sampling method. Results: According to the results obtained from first step, questionnaire consists of 43 items. The results of explanatory factor analysis indicate 13 factors including emotionalabuse, neglect, ignoring needs, compulsion, financial abuse, insulting, deprivation, imposition, secrecy, domination, psychological pressure, mistreatment, and sexual humiliation; these 13 factors could explain 71.06% of variance of thequestionnaire. The obtained Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.86) indicates suitable internal consistency of questionnaire.

Conclusion: Considering the psychometric properties this questionnaire the Ghahar’s Elder Abuse Questionnaire is a suitable instrument to evaluate different dimensions of elder abuse in Iranian community.