VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE TURKISH VERSION OF THE SOCIAL INCLUSION SCALE

Introduction: This study aimed to adapt the Social Inclusion Scale (SIS) to a Turkish population and test its reliability and validity. Materials and Method: In total, 230 older persons aged >= 65 years participated in methodological research conducted in Antalya, Turkey. In the validity section, factorial construct and content validity analyses were used. To determine the reliability of the scale, internal consistency and item analyses were used. Results: Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.894, indicating high reliability. The item-total correlations ranged 0.28-0.70. The content validity index was 0.97. The factor loadings of 18 items of SIS loading on three factors varied between 0.40 and 0.79, accounting for 55.14% of the variance. Conclusion: SIS was found to be a reliable and valid tool for defining social inclusion levels in the older persons aged >= 65 years.