The Social Vulnerability Scale for Older Adults: An Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analytic Study |
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Authors: | Donna M Pinsker PhD Ken McFarland PhD Valerie E Stone PhD |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology , The Prince Charles Hospital , Brisbane, Queensland, Australia donna.pinsker@uqconnect.edu.au;3. School of Psychology , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia;4. Answers About Competency, LLC , Golden, Colorado, USA |
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Abstract: | The Social Vulnerability Scale (SVS), a 22-item informant report of vulnerability to exploitation and, in particular, financial exploitation of older adults, was administered to 266 respondents who assessed the social vulnerability of a significant other aged 50 years or over, either a person with dementia or other neurological condition (n?=?116), or a healthy adult (n?=?150). Exploratory factor analysis in the combined sample revealed a 15-item two-factor solution labeled gullibility and credulity. Stability in factor structure was established in an independent sample (n?=?123) using confirmatory factor analysis, and sound reliability (internal consistency) and validity (known-groups) were demonstrated. The SVS15 is a potentially useful instrument for assessing older adults' vulnerability to exploitation. |
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Keywords: | social vulnerability financial exploitation dementia memory cognitive functioning neuropsychology aging |
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