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Initial Psychometric Evaluation of the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale

University of Michigan, dalgase{at}umich.edu.

Gwi-Ryung Son

HanYang University

Cynthia Beel-Bates

Grand Valley State University

Junah Song

Korea University College of Nursing

Lan Yao

University of Michigan

Elizabeth Beattie

University of Michigan

Sara Leitsch

National Opinion Research Center, Chicago

This study evaluates three versions of the Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale (WES), developed to differentiate problems of wayfinding and wandering behavior of community-residing elders with dementia (EWD), in 266 dyads (EWD and caregiver) recruited from Alzheimer's Association chapters. Factor analyses yield a five-factor solution (explained variance = 62.6%): complex wayfinding goals, analytic strategies, global strategies, simple wayfinding goals, and being stimulus bound. Overall, internal consistencies are high: WES (.94-.95), and subscales are stable across all versions. Testretest reliability is acceptable for the overall WES and two subscales (complex and simple wayfinding goals) for the care recipient current behavior version. Construct validity is supported by the pattern of correlations among subscales and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showing significant differences among the care recipient (current vs. prior behavior) and caregiver versions overall and for all subscales. Results support the WES as a valid and reliable measure of wayfinding effectiveness in persons with dementia.

Key Words: dementia • wayfinding • wandering • instrument • community

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This version was published on December 1, 2007

Western Journal of Nursing Research, Vol. 29, No. 8, 1015-1032 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0193945907303076


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Algase, D. Articles by Leitsch, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Algase, D. Articles by Leitsch, S. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Dementia Social Bookmarking                         What's this?