Measuring older adults’ wellbeing when transitioning into assisted living facilities: a confirmatory factor analysis of the Mueller assessment of transition (MAT)

Abstract

Objectives

Older adults’ wellbeing during the transition into an assisted living facility (ALF) is not well understood and may influence their wellbeing. The Mueller Assessment of Transition (MAT) was created to measure the impact of transition on older adults’ wellbeing. Early developmental testing of the MAT revealed a hypothesized model with two constructs (adjustment strategies and constraints to wellbeing). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the MAT with a representative sample of older adults transitioning into ALFs.

Methods

In a nationwide sample, 108 older adult participants completed the MAT to measure wellbeing when relocating into ALFs. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the structural validity of the MAT. Internal consistency was evaluated, and chi-square tests of association for regional differences in MAT scores were also conducted.

Results

The CFA produced strong fit indices to confirm the hypothesized 2-factor (constraints to wellbeing and adjustment strategies) model of the MAT. Cronbach’s alpha for the internal consistency was 0.784 and chi-square test indicated no significant regional differences.

Conclusion

The MAT was established as a valid and reliable standardized assessment. Implications for using the MAT as a tool to measure older adults’ wellbeing and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Transitional care
• aging adults
• scale validation
• adjustment strategies
• assisted living

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank those at the ALFs, older adult residents and location liaisons alike, for making this study possible.

Disclosure statement

We have no conflict of interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.