Development and Assessment of the Validity and Reliability of the Short-Form Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-SF) among the Elderly Population

Background: Elderly care should focus on not only prolonging life but also satisfaction with elderly life. Our study investigated the reliability and validity of the Short-Form Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-SF). Method: Data were drawn from the 2015 Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. Internal consistency reliability was used to confirm that the items measured the targeted characteristics. Construct validity was established by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Criterion-related validity was examined with the WHO-5 Well-Being Index as an indicator of quality of life. Known-group validity was determined from the difference between frailty stage and quality of life. Results: The high consistency reliability supported the reliability of the LSI-SF. Rigorous CFA validated the construct validity of the LSI-SF. Perfect convergent and discriminant validity supported the validity of the LSI-SF. In addition, there was a significant correlation between the LSI-SF and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. The LSI-SF appears to be a reliable measure of quality of life in the elderly. We found that frailty status was associated with lower life satisfaction, which supported the known-group validity. Life satisfaction was highest in the non-frailty stage and lowest in the frailty stage. Conclusions: The LSI-SF appears to be a valid and reliable measure of satisfaction with elderly life.