@article { , title = {Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Social Isolation Measure (SIM) in adults with hearing loss}, abstract = {This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a brief, hearing-specific outcome measure: the Social Isolation Measure (SIM). 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. 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. 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. In conclusion, 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.}, doi = {10.1080/14992027.2018.1533257}, eissn = {1708-8186}, issn = {1499-2027}, issue = {1}, journal = {International Journal of Audiology}, pages = {45-52}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Open}, url = {https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1177511}, volume = {58}, keyword = {Hearing loss, Social isolation, Psychometrics, Outcome measurement, Questionnaire: loneliness}, year = {2019}, author = {Heffernan, Eithne and Habib, Alia and Ferguson, Melanie} }