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Table 1 Rotated component matrix with the revised and extended version of FAQ and FAMHQ

From: Internal consistency and construct validity assessment of a revised Facts on Aging Quizfor Flemish nursing students: an exploratory study

 

Component

Item

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

(1) The majority of old people (age 65 or older) are senile (have defective memory, are disoriented, or demented).

0.507

      

(2) The majority of old people have no interest in, or capacity for, sexual relations.

0.474

  

0.342

   

(5) The majority of old people feel miserable most of the time.

0.889

      

(7) More than 25% of the aged are living in long-stay institutions (such as nursing homes, mental hospitals, homes for the aged, etc.).

0.326

  

0.246

   

(8) Older workers usually cannot work as effectively as younger workers.

0.385

0.300

     

(9) The majority of old people are unable to adapt to change.

0.489

      

(10) The majority of the aged are healthy enough to do their normal activities without help.

0.353

  

0.256

   

(13) In general, old people tend to be pretty much alike.

0.498

      

(16) The majority of old people are socially isolated.

0.548

   

0.414

  

(3) The five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) all weaken in old age.

 

0.264

     

(4) Lung vital capacity declines in old age.

 

0.293

     

(6) Physical strength declines in old age.

 

0.405

     

(11) Old people usually take longer to learn something new.

 

0.486

     

(14) Older people tend to react more slowly than younger people do.

 

0.671

     

(22) The majority of old people say they are seldom irritated or angry.

  

0.519

    

(24) Life expectancy at age 65 is about the same for men as for women.

  

0.146

    

(25) The majority of persons over 65 have some mental illness severe enough to impair their abilities.

  

0.544

   

0.324

(26) Cognitive impairment (memory loss, disorientation, or confusion) is an inevitable part of the aging process.

  

0.388

    

(28) There is no treatment (that leads to a cure) for Alzheimer’s disease.

  

0.429

    

(29) Most patients with Alzheimer’s disease act the same way.

  

0.252

    

(30) It is best to avoid talking to demented patients, because it may increase their confusion.

  

0.791

    

(31) Demented patients should not be allowed to talk about their past because it may depress them.

  

0.749

    

(17) Older workers have fewer accidents than younger workers do.

   

0.380

   

(18) At present more than 30% of the population are 65 years or older in Flanders.

   

0.316

   

(19) The majority of medical practitioners give low priority to working with or caring for the aged.

   

0.257

   

(21) The majority of old people is working or would like to have some kind of work to do (including housework, volunteer work, care for grandchildren, etc.).

   

0.335

   

(12) Depression is uncommon in older people.

    

-0.325

  

(15) The majority of old people say they are seldom bored.

    

0.479

  

(27) Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of chronic cognitive impairment among the aged.

    

0.219

  

(32) The prevalence of cognitive impairment increases in old age.

     

0.746

 

(33) The elderly have fewer sleep problems than younger persons.

  

0.275

  

0.372

 

(34) Mental illnesses are more common (more prevalent) among the elderly with less income and education.

     

0.311

 

(20) The majority of old people have incomes below the poverty line (between €700 and €900 a month).

      

0.259

(23) The risk of physical injury (e.g., broken hip or wrist) is the same in older persons as it is in younger persons.

    

0.259

 

0.311

(35) The majority of nursing home patients suffer from mental illness.

      

0.737

(36) Major depression is more prevalent among the elderly than among younger persons.

      

0.447

  1. Regular font = items originating from the Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) version 1.
  2. Bold font = items were added (as recommended by the Flemish expert panel).
  3. Italicized font = items originating from the Facts on Aging and Mental Health Quiz (FAMHQ).