Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Social Isolation Measure (SIM) in adults with hearing loss

Heffernan, Eithne; Habib, Alia; Ferguson, Melanie

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.

Citation

Heffernan, E., Habib, A., & Ferguson, M. (2019). Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Social Isolation Measure (SIM) in adults with hearing loss. International Journal of Audiology, 58(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2018.1533257

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 29, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jan 8, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 8, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 20, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Audiology
• Print ISSN: 1499-2027
• Electronic ISSN: 1708-8186
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Open
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 45-52
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2018.1533257
• Keywords: Hearing loss; Social isolation; Psychometrics; Outcome measurement; Questionnaire: loneliness
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1177511
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14992027.2018.1533257?journalCode=iija20
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Audiology on 8 January 2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/[10.1080/14992027.2018.1533257