Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Social Disconnectedness and Perceived Isolation Scales in Iranian Older Adults

 Social isolation of older adults is one of the major global concerns associated with widespread negative outcomes. The present study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the social disconnectedness and perceived isolation scales in Iranian older adults.

 The translation/back-translation process was performed based on the standard protocol of world health organization. Face and content validities were assessed based on the opinions of a panel of experts. The content validity of the scales was evaluated by calculating the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest method, and factor analyses, respectively. Factorial structure of the scales was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling in a sample of 390 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years residing in Tabriz, Iran. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 26 and AMOS version 24.

For the social disconnectedness scale, CVR=‌0.98 and CVI=‌0.91; for the perceived isolation scale, CVR=‌0.91 and CVI=‌0.96. The EFA with the varimax rotation identified new factors in both scales. Cronbach’s alpha of 0.64 for the social disconnectedness scale and 0.76 for the perceived isolation scale showed that their internal consistency was acceptable. The number of factors in the social disconnectedness scale changed from two to three factors, and the number of factors in the perceived isolation scale changed from two to four factors in the Persian versions. The CFA and SEM confirmed the three-factor solution of the Persian version of the social disconnectedness scale (RMSEA=0.050, GFI=0.951, CFI=0.950, and TLI=0.955) and the four-factor solution of the Persian version of perceived isolation scale (RMSEA=0.045, GFI=0.955, CFI=0.955, and TLI=0.950).

Although the structures are different from those of the main versions, the Persian versions of the social disconnectedness and perceived isolation scales have acceptable reliability and validity to be used in Iranian older adults.