Validation of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory in Chilean older people

ObjectiveCurrently in Chile there is a lack of validated tools for measuring anxiety in the elderly population. Considering this, the purpose of this study was to validate the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) in the country.MethodAn analysis of the psychometric properties of the GAI was carried out, using a non-clinical sample of 301 older adults in the Metropolitan and Valparaíso regions of Chile. Older people were asked about anxiety, rumination, depression, well-being and sociodemographic data.ResultsAn excellent internal reliability was obtained with a Cronbach score of 0.931. An adequate convergent validity was observed with the Depression scales (CES-D) (Rho = 0.549, p < .01), Rumination (RSS) (Rho = 0.618; p < 0.01) and Experiential avoiding (Rho = 0.485; p < 0.01). On the other hand, the discriminant validity of the psychological well-being scale presented a negative correlation of Rho = -0.699 (p < 0.01). Finally, and Exploratory Factor Analysis was made, revealing a one-dimensional model of the instrument.ConclusionThe Geriatric Anxiety Inventory has very good psychometric properties measuring anxiety in elderly people, being an adequate instrument for the screening of anxiety on this population.