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Instruments to evaluate mental well-being in old age: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify and appraise existing instruments to evaluate mental well-being in old age.

Method: Systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest Research Library, AgeLine and CINAHL databases were performed. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline was used to assess the measurement properties, reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. For each measurement property, results were classified as positive, negative or indeterminate. The quality level of evidence was rated as high, moderate, low or very low following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results: A total of 28 instruments were found. Most instruments evaluated different dimensions of mental well-being, including various subscales. The quality was adequate overall. Six instruments showed high quality (Perceived Well-Being Scale-PWB, Salamon-Conte Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Scale-SCLSES, Herth Hope Scale-HHS, Life Satisfaction Index Third Age-LSITA, Meaning in Life Scale-MLS, and SODdisfazione dell’Anziano-SODA), and other six a moderate level (Scale of Happiness of the Memorial University of Newfoundland-MUNSH, Six Scales of Psychological Well-Being-PWBS, Valuation Of Life-VOL, Life Satisfaction Scale for Chinese Elders-LSS-C, Meaningful Activity Participation Assessment-MAPA and Will To Life-WTL).

Conclusion: This review provides the first comprehensive synthesis of instruments assessing mental well-being in older populations. The PWB, SCLSES, HHS, LSITA, MLS and SODA were the most appropriated instruments. An instrument that specifically measures mental well-being in the oldest old age group (aged 80 plus) and that considers its multidimensional nature is needed.

Category

Academic literature review

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Natalia Martín-María
  • Elvira Lara
  • Johanna Cresswell-Smith
  • Anna K. Forsman
  • Jorid Kalseth
  • Valeria Donisi
  • Francesco Amaddeo
  • Kristian Wahlbeck
  • Marta Miret

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Digital / Health Research
  • Finland
  • Åbo Akademi University
  • University of Verona
  • Spain
  • Autonomous University of Madrid
  • Hospital Universitario de La Princesa

Year

2020

Published in

Aging & Mental Health

ISSN

1360-7863

Page(s)

1 - 15

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository