The will-to-live scale: development, validation, and significance for elderly people

Aging & Mental Health
Sara Carmel

Abstract

In old age, the will-to-live (WTL) is one of the most important indicators of subjective well-being (SWB). However, few studies to date have focused on WTL. In these studies, WTL has mainly been evaluated via indirect questions concerning factors that may influence peoples' WTL, or by measures directed to patients with specific diseases. The current study describes the development and psychometric properties of a new WTL scale. The five-item WTL scale was developed on the basis of previous qualitative and quantitative research, and was evaluated in a longitudinal study of a random sample of 868 adults, aged 75+. Confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) models were computed showing that each of the five items contributed significantly to measurement of a single WTL latent factor. Goodness-of-fit statistics were in ideal parameters for these CFA models at each point of data collection. Moreover, temporal analyses indicated that the relative contribution to measurement for each item was equivalent across time, attesting to reliability of measurement and the construct validity of WTL measurement. Concurrent validity was supported by significant positive correlations between WTL and life satisfaction, happiness, self-rated health, morale,...Continue Reading

References

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Oct 10, 2003·International Journal of Aging & Human Development·Sara Carmel, Judith H Bernstein
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May 1, 2007·Social Science & Medicine·Sara CarmelGalia Shemy
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Jul 6, 2012·Age and Ageing·Helena KarppinenKaisu H Pitkälä

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Citations

Apr 21, 2018·Journal of the American Geriatrics Society·Sara CarmelNorm O'Rourke
Nov 20, 2018·Aging & Mental Health·Alon ZamirSara Carmel
Jun 5, 2020·Aging & Mental Health·Natalia Martín-MaríaMarta Miret
Oct 28, 2019·Frontiers in Medicine·Sara Carmel
Sep 16, 2020·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Marc-Antoine BornetRalf J Jox
May 18, 2021·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Marc-Antoine BornetRalf J Jox
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Racheli-Lital Gvili, Ehud Bodner
Nov 20, 2021·International Psychogeriatrics·Helen GleesonToby Ellmers

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