Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate factorial invariance for the Cognition Scale of Illness-related Anxiety and to determine characteristics of cognition during anxiety among inpatients by differences in age. Subjects comprised 565 inpatients in general hospitals. A secondary structure model was adopted for a factorial structure model, with "Aggravation of illness and symptoms", "Uncertainty of medical quality", "Limits to and reductions in activities of daily life", "Changes in relationships with family and friends" and "Loss of purpose and value" as first-order factors, and "Cognition during anxiety related to illness" as a second-order factor. Results of simultaneous factor analysis were determined for two samples across age by structural equation modeling, with a secondary structure model fit to all conditions of data with equality constraints for all parameters. The results suggested factorial invariance for the Cognition Scale of Illness-related Anxiety. In addition, factor means were estimated in simultaneous factor analyses in order to clarify relationships between cognition during anxiety related to illness and age. As a result, no significant differences were recognized between individuals <65-years-old and those >- 65-years-old. The results suggest that nurses should intervene in inpatient cognition during anxiety related to illness regardless of differences in age.
