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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Anxiety | Research article

Language equivalence of the modified falls efficacy scale (MFES) among English- and Spanish-speaking older adults: Rasch analysis

Authors: Robert J. Lucero, Sergio Romero, Robert Fieo, Yamnia Cortes, Jeannie P. Cimiotti, Lusine Poghosyan

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

To investigate item-level measurement properties of the Modified Falls Efficacy (MFES) Scale among English- and Spanish-speaking urban-dwelling older adults as a means to evaluate language equivalence of the tool.

Methods

Secondary analysis of survey data from 170 English (n = 83) and Spanish (n = 87) speaking older adults who reported to the emergency department of a quaternary medical center in New York City between February 2010 and August 2011. The Rasch rating scale model was used to investigate item statistics and ordering of items, item and person reliability, and model performance of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale.

Results

The Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, for English- and Spanish-speakers, demonstrated acceptable fit to the Rasch model of a unidimensional measure. While the range of the construct is more limited for the Spanish group, the interval between tasks are much closer, reflecting little to no construct under-representation.

Conclusion

There is rationale for continued testing of a unidemsional English- and Spanish-MFES among urban community-dwelling older adults. Large-scale international studies linking the unidemsional MFES to patient outcomes will support the validity of this tool for research and practice.
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Metadata
Title
Language equivalence of the modified falls efficacy scale (MFES) among English- and Spanish-speaking older adults: Rasch analysis
Authors
Robert J. Lucero
Sergio Romero
Robert Fieo
Yamnia Cortes
Jeannie P. Cimiotti
Lusine Poghosyan
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Anxiety
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01627-3

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