Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the older adult lifestyle scale: a translation and validation study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to translate the Older Adult Lifestyle Scale (OALS) from English to Chinese and to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Chinese version of the OALS. METHODS: In this study, the Brislin two-way translation method was employed to translate the OALS into Chinese. Between June 2023 and February 2024, a total of 393 older adults were recruited from the provinces of Jiangxi, Anhui, Guizhou, and Heilongjiang in China using a convenience sampling method to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Chinese version of the OALS. The reliability of the scale was evaluated through split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. The validity of the scale was assessed using the Delphi expert correspondence method and factor analysis. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the OALS comprises four dimensions and 19 items, demonstrating a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.824. The Cronbach's α coefficients for the four dimensions range from 0.867 to 0.951, with a split-half reliability of 0.792 and a retest reliability score of 0.964. In this study, I-CVI ranges from 0.857 to 1.000, while S-CVI values are 0.955. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a KMO value of 0.846 and a Bartlett's sphericity test χ²value of 3397.370 (p < 0.001). Four common factors were extracted: preventive behavior, food/diet, physical activity, and quality of relationships. The cumulative variance contribution rate was 76.682%, and the factor loadings for all items were satisfactory. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed the following fit indices: CMIN/DF = 1.446, RMSEA = 0.053, CFI = 0.979, GFI = 0.901, TLI = 0.976, and IFI = 0.980, indicating that all fitting indices were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the OALS demonstrates robust and reliable psychometric properties and serves as an effective instrument for assessing the lifestyle of older adult individuals. The utilization of this scale can be beneficial for medical professionals and government agencies, as it encompasses preventive behaviors, dietary habits, physical activity, and the quality of interpersonal relationships. These factors collectively provide a foundation for developing lifestyle intervention programs tailored for the older adult population.