Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the social isolation measure (SIM) in adults with hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a brief, hearing-specific outcome measure: the Social Isolation Measure (SIM).

Design: In Phase 1, adults with hearing loss were invited to complete an online survey that contained the SIM, a hearing-specific participation questionnaire, a generic activity and participation questionnaire, and a generic loneliness questionnaire. In Phase 2, the participants were asked to complete the SIM for a second time 2–3 weeks following Phase 1.

Study Sample: One hundred and sixteen adults with hearing loss completed Phase 1. Ninety-five participants also completed Phase 2. Twenty-nine participants were excluded from the Phase 2 data analysis because they reported that their hearing had changed since Phase 1 or because they completed Phase 2 outside of the 2–3 week interval following Phase 1.

Results: In support of its construct validity, the SIM had a strong correlation with the hearing-specific questionnaire and moderate correlations with the generic questionnaires. The findings also supported the internal consistency, interpretability and test-retest reliability of the SIM.

Conclusions: The SIM was found to have strong psychometric properties. It could serve as a brief measure of perceived social isolation in research or clinical practice.

Keywords:

• Social isolation
• loneliness
• social participation
• outcome measurement
• questionnaire validation
• psychometric analysis
• classical test theory
• hearing loss
• adult aural rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Kathryn Fackrell, David Maidment, and Sandra Smith of the NIHR Nottingham BRC, the Patient and Public Involvement representative and the participants for their assistance with this study.

Disclosure statement

This paper presents independent research funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Programme and the 2017 Action on Hearing Loss (AOHL) Summer Studentship scheme. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, AOHL, or the UK Department of Health and Social Care.

Please contact the NIHR Nottingham BRC via [email protected] to obtain a copy of the Social Isolation Measure.