RESUMO
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Social Isolation Scale (SIS) in a sample of Portuguese community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A transversal descriptive study was carried out with a convenience sample of 250 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). The survey comprised a sociodemographic questionnaire, SIS, Geriatric Depression Scale-4 (GDS-4), 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), a loneliness self-assessment question, and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis) and convergent validity were analyzed, and ISI internal reliability (composite reliability), external reliability (test-retest, intraclass correlation coefficient) and inter-rater reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficient) were evaluated. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed a two-factor model with an excellent index of fit. The SIS showed significant correlations with LSNS-6 (r s = 0.47), SWLS (r s = 0.26), the loneliness self-assessment question (r s = 0.35), and GDS-4 (r s = -0.16). SIS composite reliability was good (0.708). The inter-class correlation coefficient varied from 0.84 to 0.98. The Cohen's kappa coefficient ranged from 0.936 to 1. Conclusions: SIS has been shown to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing social isolation among Portuguese community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses working in community settings, can use SIS to assess social isolation in older adults to design, implement, and evaluate interventions.
RESUMO
Face ao reconhecimento da importância da participação social como fator promotor de envelhecimento bem-sucedido, procura-se, através de um estudo de natureza quantitativo, analisar os efeitos de variáveis sociodemográficas e da participação social em atividades/programas de base comunitária, promovidas por um município da zona centro de Portugal, ao nível da qualidade de vida de pessoas com mais de 56 anos, residentes no concelho.
Dado el reconocimiento de la importancia de la participación social como un factor que promueve el envejecimiento exitoso, un estudio cuantitativo busca analizar los efectos de las variables sociodemográficas y la participación social en actividades / programas basados en la comunidad promovidos. por un municipio del centro de Portugal, en términos de calidad de vida de las personas mayores de 56 años, residentes en el municipio.
Considering the recognition of social participation as a relevant factor for promoting successful ageing, a study of quantitative nature was conducted in order to analyze the effects of sociodemographic variables and of social participation in community-based activities/ programs, promoted by a municipality in central Portugal, into the level of quality of life of its habitants, over 56 years of age.
