Development of the 20-item Multidimensional Attitude Toward Older Adults Scale(MATOAS-20): A psychometrically robust tool for health and social sciences.
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| Title: | Development of the 20-item Multidimensional Attitude Toward Older Adults Scale(MATOAS-20): A psychometrically robust tool for health and social sciences. |
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| Authors: | Iwasaki, Michiko (AUTHOR), Sherman, Martin F. (AUTHOR), White, Michael J. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Educational Gerontology. Sep2026, Vol. 52 Issue 9, p1193-1209. 17p. |
| Subjects: | Social sciences, Cronbach's alpha, Research methodology evaluation, Geriatrics, Questionnaires, Undergraduates, Research evaluation, Experimental design, Surveys, Research methodology, Psychometrics, Ageism, Statistical reliability, Factor analysis |
| Abstract: | Assessing ageism is crucial for addressing negative attitudes toward older adults in gerontological education and training. We sought to develop a brief psychometrically sound scale to measure attitudes toward older adults based on conventional ageism conceptualizations (stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination) within an in-group vs. out-group framework. Survey data from 700 undergraduate students were analyzed to develop the MATOAS-20. The psychometrics of the scale were examined with two samples: 700 college students and 277 adults (aged 18–59) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Responses to the MATOAS-20 with the college sample demonstrated good internal consistency for the total scale (α =.87) and the four subscales (Emotional Response, Respect, Social Interaction, and Work Interest) with Cronbach's alpha ranging from.72 to.87. Test-retest reliability over a one-week period was also good (r =.87). Convergent and divergent validity were supported by expected relations with the refined version of the Aging Semantic Differential and a brief Social Desirability Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance tests showed supportive evidence for factor structure and factor loading validation across college vs. non-college adult samples and men vs. women. While dissimilar means were found between college vs. non-college samples, stronger internal consistency reliabilities were obtained with the non-college adult sample (α =.83 to.93). We conclude that the MATOAS-20 is a promising tool for assessing attitudes toward older adults among students and trainees in gerontology and related fields. Its potential to enhance professional competency warrants further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Assessing ageism is crucial for addressing negative attitudes toward older adults in gerontological education and training. We sought to develop a brief psychometrically sound scale to measure attitudes toward older adults based on conventional ageism conceptualizations (stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination) within an in-group vs. out-group framework. Survey data from 700 undergraduate students were analyzed to develop the MATOAS-20. The psychometrics of the scale were examined with two samples: 700 college students and 277 adults (aged 18–59) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Responses to the MATOAS-20 with the college sample demonstrated good internal consistency for the total scale (α =.87) and the four subscales (Emotional Response, Respect, Social Interaction, and Work Interest) with Cronbach's alpha ranging from.72 to.87. Test-retest reliability over a one-week period was also good (r =.87). Convergent and divergent validity were supported by expected relations with the refined version of the Aging Semantic Differential and a brief Social Desirability Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance tests showed supportive evidence for factor structure and factor loading validation across college vs. non-college adult samples and men vs. women. While dissimilar means were found between college vs. non-college samples, stronger internal consistency reliabilities were obtained with the non-college adult sample (α =.83 to.93). We conclude that the MATOAS-20 is a promising tool for assessing attitudes toward older adults among students and trainees in gerontology and related fields. Its potential to enhance professional competency warrants further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 03601277 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03601277.2025.2545011 |
