Validation study of a social functioning scale: The social-SMAF (social-Functional Autonomy Measurement System)

This article aims to describe the validation studies of a social functioning scale developed recently to be possibly added to the SMAF. One hundred and one older adults presenting moderate to severe disabilities and living in two long-term care institutions (LTCI) participated in the validation studies. For the interrater reliability, 51 participants were assessed by two different nurses 24–72 h apart whereas for the test–retest reliability (n = 50), they were evaluated twice by the same nurse within a 7-day interval. Convergent validity was verified (n = 74) by comparing the new subscale with questionnaires of functional status (Older American Resources and Services, OARS), social participation (Assessment of Life Habits, Assessment of LIFE-H) and social support (Social Provisions Scale, SPS). The interrater reliability and test–retest study showed, respectively, good mean agreement percentages (84% and 85%) as well as good or excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.87 and 0.96; CI: 0.93–0.98). The social-SMAF demonstrated significant correlations with the OARS (r = −0.42), LIFE-H (r = −0.31) and SPS (r = −0.49). These results suggest that the new subscale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social functioning autonomy of the older adult.