Adaptation of the Russian version of the Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ)

Abstract

The work is devoted to the adaptation of the “Perception of Aging” questionnaire based on the English-language Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ). Modern scientific knowledge has a significant amount of data in the field of psychology of aging, interest in which does not fade, and the aging process is studied from various angles. Researchers more often turn to the problem of constructing a productive old age, the planning of which is recommended to begin at earlier stages of life. The results of modern research indicate that a positive perception of aging is a predictor of quality of life in old age and contributes to various aspects of health in old age. In this regard, the question arises about psychodiagnostic tools that allow us to identify the specifics of the perception of aging. Even though that there are currently studies on this problem, there is no version of the questionnaire that will allow assessing the perception of aging in a Russian sample. This study examined the reliability and construct validity of the English version of the APQ Perceptions of Aging Questionnaire. The study involved 229 people aged 29 to 68 years. Reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s α and showed internal consistency both for the entire questionnaire and across gender groups. To test the convergent validity, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaire, the K. Riff Psychological Well- Being Scale, the Australian Healthy Aging Questionnaire, and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scales were used. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, six scales were identified: “Consequences negative”, “Control positive”, “Emotional representation” and “Unstable image of old age” (Timeline (cyclical)), “Consequences positive”, “Control negative”. Analysis of convergent validity showed the connection of the selected scales with indicators of psychological and physical health. The Perceptions of Aging Questionnaire is a simple and flexible method for assessing the image of aging.