Abstract

Background: Effectivemeasurement tools are needed to evaluate the self-management knowledge and behaviors of seniors. We aimed to conduct a validity and reliability study of the Partners in Health Scale for Older Adults (PIH-OA) scale, which is ameasurement tool for elderly regarding the consequences of aging over time.

Methods: This study is a methodological type study including 293 individuals over age 65 who applied to Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospital between March 1 and October 31, 2024. Datawere collected using the sociodemographic data form, PIH-OA scale and Older People's Quality of Life – Brief scale (OPQOL–brief). Explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. Test-retest method, Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient and item total score analysis were used in reliability analysis.

Results: The three-factor and eight-item structure of the PIH-OA scale, including "Knowledge", "Management" and "Coping", is highly reliable (Cronbach's alphas range from 0.606 to 0.787). As a result of test-retests, a positive  significant relationship was found between the measurements (r = 0.995). PIHOA scale and the OPQOL-brief scale, a moderate correlation was found with "Knowledge" and "Management" (r = .430 and r = .413) and a strong correlationwas found with "Total PIH-OA scale" and "Coping" (r = .738 and r = .756).

Conclusion: The PIH-OA scale is reliable and valid for assessing the self-management knowledge and behavior of geriatric individuals in the Turkish society.