Testing the validity and applicability of the age-friendly inventory and campus climate survey in non-US samples

Abstract

The Age Friendly University initiative aims to adapt and prepare campuses and academic organizations for better inclusion of older adults in their activities, processes, and outcomes. However, a valid and applicable tool is required to assess the efficacy of these programs. In this study, we examined the applicability and validity of the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS), as a multifaceted measure of age‑friendly processes, infrastructure, and behavior. The measure has been validated in English-speaking settings but has not previously been tested in different language and population settings. This study examined the validity and applicability of the ICCS in a non-US setting, testing its content and construct validity. A sample of students, faculty, and staff at a large research university in Northern Israel completed a modified and translated version of the ICCS. Analyses show that while the general structure of the scales and subscales remained stable, some changes in the associations between the components revealed cultural and formal differences between settings. In general, the data supports the ICCS usability and validity for students and faculty samples in a diverse national and linguistic setting, but not for administrative staff.