Reliability and Validity of Revised Apathy Evaluation Scale-Self in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: The questionnaire Apathy Evaluation Scale-Self (AES-S) has been widely adopted globally, demonstrating high reliability and validity. However, direct translation of the AES into Chinese does not fit well into the Chinese cultural setting, so a structured and comprehensive revision is needed to obtain a high reliability and validity version of the scale. Methods: In this study, 436 adults aged ≥ 60 years from two communities in Beijing were assessed using a modified AES-S. The methodology included item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The scale’s validity was tested using the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Reliability assessment included retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, and split-half reliability. Results: The modified Apathy Evaluation Scale-Self-Assessment (AES-S-C) presented a first-order four-factor structure with higher reliability and validity than the original version within the Chinese older adult community. Conclusions: The revised AES-S-C is more suitable for the Chinese older adults in community settings. Clinical implications: This self-rated scale is suitable for screening apathy among older adults in community or nursing facilities, aiding in the identification of cognitive impairment and promoting mental health.