Background: Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) significantly influenced older adults' psychological health, physical functioning, and quality of life. However, the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate psychometric tools to assess aging perception has limited research on aging perception in India. This study aimed to adapt and validate the SPA Scale to enable accurate assessment among Hindi-speaking Indian older adults (IOAs). The study examined its reliability, validity, and factor structure when applied to the Hindi-speaking IOAs.
Methods: Primary data was obtained from Patna, Bihar, using a stratified random sampling technique. The original SPA items were translated from English into Hindi using the translation back translation (TBT) procedure. Following the TBT procedure, 150 IOAs were given the Hindi version of the SPA scale along with its various criterion measures. The age of the participants ranged from 60 to 92 years. Reliability cum internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, Construct validity was assessed using convergent and divergent validity. Factor structure was analysed using exploratory factor analysis.
Results: Dimensions of SPA in Hindi version exhibited significant and acceptable internal consistency reliability; construct validity through its criterion measures (convergent and divergent validity), reporting validity of the scale; and exploratory factor analysis explored important factor structure.
Conclusion and Implications: Hindi version of SPA scale is a reliable and valid psychometric tool to assess aging perception, processes and aging-related experiences among Hindi-speaking IOAs. This validated instrument contributes to aging research in India and can inform targeted interventions for faulty aging perceptions, thus advancing the agenda of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, by facilitating culturally sensitive measurement tools for mental and emotional health in aging populations in India.