Abstract
Assessing affect in cognitively impaired elders is difficult. A number of instruments have been developed to measure single emotions or more broad aspects of well-being. The Apparent Emotion Rating (AER) scale is an observational instrument that measures the presence or absence of three positive (pleasure, interest, and tranquility) and three negative emotions (anger, anxiety, and sadness). Interrater percentage of agreement ranged from 82% for anxiety to 100% for interest. A weak, but statistically significant correlation (r = .303, p = .000) was found with the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (Lawton, 1975). Elders with greater cognitive impairment had lower AER scores than did persons with higher scores. The AER is a promising tool for providing reliable and valid observational data about mood state, particularly in persons unable to respond to a self-report measure.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 17-29 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Clinical Gerontologist |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1998 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Mariah Snyder, PhD, RN, FAAN Muriel B. Ryden, PhD, RN, FAAN Patricia Shaver, MS, RN Jing-Jy Wang, MS, RN Kay Savik, MS Cynthia R. Gross, PhD Valinda Pearson, MS, RN, Doctoral Candidate ABSTRACT. Assessing affect in cognitively impaired elders is difficult. A number of instruments have been developed to measure single emotions or more broad aspects of well-being. The Apparent Emotion Rating (AER) scale is an observational instrument that measures the presence or absence of three positive (pleasure, inter- est, and tranquility) and three negative emotions (anger, anxiety, and sadness). Interrater percentage of agreement ranged from 82% for anxiety to 100% for interest. A weak, but statistically significant correlation (r = ,303, p = ,000) was found with the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (Lawton, 1975). Elders with greater cognitive impairment had lower AER scores than did persons with higher scores. The AER is a promising tool for providing reliable and valid observational data about mood state, particularly in persons unable to respond to a self-report measure. [Article copies available for afee from The Haworth Documenf Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: geti~fo@kaworth.com) Mariah Snyder, Muriel B. Ryden, and Cynthia R. Gross are faculty at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing; Patricia Shaver, Jing-Jy Wang, and Valinda Pearson are doctoral students at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing; Ms. Kay Savik is a statistician. This grant was supported by NlH ROI NR03490-04.