Modification and psychometric testing of the Reminiscence Functions Scale

J Nurs Meas. 2009;17(2):134-47. doi: 10.1891/1061-3749.17.2.134.

Abstract

This article describes the psychometric evaluation of the Modified Reminiscence Functions Scale (MRFS). The 39-item MRFS was validated on a sample of 271 racially diverse older adults. Psychometric analysis included content validity, item analysis, principal component analysis with varimax rotation, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha. The model's structure supports a seven-factor, 39-item scale. Test-retest and Cronbach's alpha for the instrument were .82 and .94, respectively. The seven-factor scale: self-regard, death, bitterness, intimacy, teach-inform, boredom, and conversation accounted for 61% of variance. Evidence indicates the self-report Likert instrument is a reliable and valid measure of reminiscence functions. Cross-validation with other populations and further research is needed to identify other reminiscence dimensions-functions.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged / psychology*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Ethnicity / psychology*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Louisiana
  • Male
  • Mental Recall*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Psychological Tests*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • White People / psychology