Assessing Age Inclusivity in Higher Education: Introducing the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study introduces a theoretical framework for assessing age inclusivity in higher education environments and describes the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS). The ICCS measures age-friendly campus practices as reported by administrators, perceptions of age-friendliness by campus constituents, and the fit between objective practices and subjective perceptions as an overall indicator of age inclusivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The ICCS was administered at a public university in the northeastern United States. Administrators completed the Inventory of potential age-friendly campus practices associated with their units. Campus constituents (n = 688) completed the online Campus Climate Survey to assess subjective awareness of these practices, perceived age-friendliness, and personal beliefs about age inclusivity. RESULTS: The Inventory yielded a score of 66% of potential age-friendly practices in place as reported by administrators. The Campus Climate Survey showed low overall perceptions of age-friendliness and varied beliefs about age inclusivity on campus. Fit was measured by comparing the Inventory practices and Campus Climate Survey awareness of the existence of 47 of 73 potential practices. Convergence on this campus showed an awareness of 36% of age-friendly practices. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Based on the proposed theoretical framework for age inclusivity, the ICCS offers a way of assessing the age-friendliness of the objective environment across campus functions, the subjective environment across campus constituents, and the fit between subjective and objective environments on campuses. The ICCS will help higher education institutions identify strengths and challenges for advancing age inclusivity.

Assessing Age Inclusivity in Higher Education: Introducing the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study introduces a theoretical framework for assessing age inclusivity in higher education environments and describes the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS). The ICCS measures age-friendly campus practices as reported by administrators, perceptions of age friendliness by campus constituents, and the fit between objective practices and subjective perceptions as an overall indicator of age inclusivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The ICCS was administered at a public university in the northeastern United States. Administrators completed the Inventory of potential age-friendly campus practices associated with their units. Campus constituents (n = 688) completed the online Campus Climate Survey to assess subjective awareness of these practices, perceived age-friendliness, and personal beliefs about age inclusivity. RESULTS: The Inventory yielded a score of 66% of potential age-friendly practices in place as reported by administrators. The Campus Climate Survey showed low overall perceptions of age-friendliness and varied beliefs about age inclusivity on campus. Fit was measured by comparing the Inventory practices and Campus Climate Survey awareness of the existence of 47 of 73 potential practices. Convergence on this campus showed an awareness of 36% of age-friendly practices. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Based on the proposed theoretical framework for age inclusivity, the ICCS offers a way of assessing the age-friendliness of the objective environment across campus functions, the subjective environment across campus constituents, and the fit between subjective and objective environments on campuses. The ICCS will help higher education institutions identify strengths and challenges for advancing age inclusivity.

The Relationship Between Career Success and Sense of Purpose: Examining Linkages and Changes.

OBJECTIVES: Although researchers have linked sense of purpose to working status, there are few studies examining how specific characteristics of work may correlate with sense of purpose. The aim of the current study is to extend prior research by assessing the degree to which objective and subjective forms of career success-occupational prestige and work satisfaction-are associated with levels of and changes in sense of purpose. METHODS: Participants were part of the Rochester Adult Longitudinal Study (N = 307), which contains multiple cohorts of participants each assessed at multiple waves (full age range: 42-71). We used cross-lagged modeling to test the relationships in our model. RESULTS: Occupational prestige was not associated with sense of purpose levels and change. However, work satisfaction was positively associated with higher levels of sense of purpose initially, and there was evidence that changes in the 2 constructs were positively correlated. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that subjective career success may be more important for sense of purpose than more objective indicators. Findings are discussed with respect to study limitations and guidance for future researchers using secondary data.

Identity Centrality and Psychosocial Functioning: A Person-Centered Approach.

There has been increased recognition that identity operates within several "components" and that not every component is likely to be equally central to one's sense of self. The aim of the current study was to determine the extent to which identity components (i.e., personal, relational, collective, and public) are differentially central to emerging adults' identity. We used a two-step cluster analytic procedure to identify distinct clusters and determine how these configurations might differ in relation to psychosocial functioning (i.e., well-being, externalizing and internalizing symptoms, illicit drug use, risky sex, and impaired driving). The sample consisted of 8,309 college students (72.8% female; M age = 19.94 years, 18-29, SD = 2.01) from 30 U.S. colleges and universities. Analyses identified six unique clusters based on the centrality of the four identity components. The findings indicated that a more well-rounded identity was associated with the most favorable psychosocial functioning. Results are discussed in terms of important directions for identity research and practical implications.

Validity of the Sheltered Care Environment Scale: rejoinder to Lemke and Moos (1990).

In a previous article, based on open-ended interviews with residents of 1 facility, questions were raised about the construct validity of 3 of the 7 subscales of the Sheltered Care Environment Scale. Lemke and Moos (1990) criticized the sampling of a single facility as having an inappropriate focus on individual differences. Their criticisms are addressed, and a dialectic approach is recommended for use in qualitative analyses for construction and validation of quantitative measures of geriatric residential settings.

Validity of the Sheltered Care Environment Scale.

The Sheltered Care Environment Scale (SCES) and a parallel open-ended interview were administered to 25 residents of a geriatric long-term-care facility. A multitrait-multimethod validity matrix was generated and contained intercorrelations among the 7 subscales of the SCES and interview ratings. Evidence of construct validity was strong for the subscales of conflict, resident influence, and self-exploration; moderate for organization; and lacking for cohesion, independence, and physical comfort. The lack of validity for these 3 subscales was revealed by a content analysis of interview responses. Items in these subscales do not sufficiently encompass major aspects of the environmental dimensions they are purported to measure.