Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-38) Survey

Purpose: To develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure older adults’ expectations regarding aging. Design and Methods: Using focus groups, cognitive interviews, and multitrait scaling analysis, we developed a 38item survey to measure expectations regarding aging (ERA-38). The survey consisted of 10 scales, each representing a domain of expectations. We mailed the survey to 588 English-speaking patients aged 65 years and older cared for by University of California, Los Angeles‐affiliated physicians. Results: Four hundred twenty-nine participants (73%) completed the survey. The mean age was 76 years; 54% were women. Most were White (76%). All scales other than Pain demonstrated good internal consistency reliability ( � � .73) and item discrimination ( � .80). Sixty-eight percent of respondents stated that all or most of the ERA-38 addressed things that were important. Construct validity was supported by correlations with age, activities of daily living, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 physical and mental component scores, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Implications: Considerable support for the reliability and construct validity of the ERA38 was obtained in this field study of 429 older adults. This instrument should be useful to investigators interested in measuring expectations regarding aging among older adults.