Initial psychometrics of the ambiance scale: A tool to study person-environment interaction in dementia
- 1 May 2007
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Aging & Mental Health
- Vol. 11 (3), 266-272
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860600963604
Abstract
Our purpose was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Ambiance Scale (AS), a new instrument that assesses the capacity of long-term care environments for generating affective and behavioural responses in people with dementia. Within the context of three parent studies of dementia-related behaviour in long-term care settings, we conducted a cross-sectional correlational study by creating two separate samples of ratings from among all those available. Factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure (engaging, soothing) for the AS. Internal consistency and evaluation of inter- and intra-rater reliability were favourable. A consistent pattern of ratings on the AS and its subscales, moderate subscale correlations, and significant differences between facility types: nursing homes (NH) vs assisted living facilities (ALF) and among selected locations (residents’ rooms, dining rooms, halls) within facility types support construct validity of the scale.Keywords
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