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Using qualitative methods to develop a measure of resident-to-resident elder mistreatment in nursing homes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2013

Mildred Ramirez ,
Beverly Watkins ,
Jeanne A. Teresi ,
Stephanie Silver ,
Gail Sukha ,
Gabriel Bortagis ,
Kimberly Van Haitsma ,
Mark S. Lachs  and
Karl Pillemer
Mildred Ramirez*
Affiliation:
Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York, USA Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, USA
Beverly Watkins
Affiliation:
Division of General Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, Box #46, New York, USA
Jeanne A. Teresi
Affiliation:
Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York, USA Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, USA Columbia University Stroud Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, 100 Haven Avenue, Tower 3, 30F, New York, USA
Stephanie Silver
Affiliation:
Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York, USA Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, USA
Gail Sukha
Affiliation:
Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York, USA
Gabriel Bortagis
Affiliation:
Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York, USA
Kimberly Van Haitsma
Affiliation:
Polisher Research Institute, Abramson Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Road, North Wales, Pennsylvania, USA
Mark S. Lachs
Affiliation:
Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, USA
Karl Pillemer
Affiliation:
Department of Human Development, Cornell University, MVR Hall, Ithaca, New York, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Mildred Ramirez, Research Division, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, NY 10471, USA. Phone: +718-581-1140; Fax: +718-543-2477. Email: milramirez@aol.com.
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Abstract

Background: Despite expansion of research on elder mistreatment, limited attention has been paid to the development of improved measurement instruments. This gap is particularly notable regarding measurement of mistreatment in long-term care facilities. This paper demonstrates the value of qualitative methods used in item development of a Resident-to-Resident Elder Mistreatment (R-REM) measure for use in nursing homes and other care facilities. It describes the development strategy and the modification and refinement of items using a variety of qualitative methods.

Methods: A combination of qualitative methods was used to develop close-ended items to measure R-REM, including review by a panel of experts, focus groups, and in-depth cognitive interviews.

Results: Information gathered from the multiple methods aided in flagging problematic items, helped to highlight the nature of the problems in measures, and provided suggestions for item modification and improvement.

Conclusions: The method employed is potentially useful for future attempts to develop better measures of elder mistreatment. The employment of previously established measurement items drawn from related fields, modified through an intensive qualitative research strategy, is an effective strategy to improve elder mistreatment measurement.

Keywords

qualitative methodsmeasure developmentresident-to-resident elder mistreatmentlong-term care
Type
Special Issue Research Articles
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 25 , Issue 8: Elder abuse an international perspective , August 2013 , pp. 1245 - 1256
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2013 

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