Rasch Analysis Validates Short Social Problem Solving Scale for Older Adults

Each of the five subscales of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised short form (SPSI-R-SF) displays a good fit to the Rasch model, local independency, and unidimensionality following model adjustments, according to a psychometric evaluation of older Spanish adults. The study applied modern test theory to evaluate the instrument, concluding that the SPSI-R-SF serves as an effective multidimensional tool for measuring the components of social problem-solving abilities in clinical and research settings.

The full Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) is widely utilized to assess social problem-solving capacities, but its psychometric properties have traditionally been evaluated using classic test theory. Researchers identified an ongoing need to further validate the shortened form of the inventory, the SPSI-R-SF, using modern test theory methodologies. The investigation sought to examine the scale’s functioning in older adults to establish a practical and reliable measurement option for this demographic.

The study evaluated a sample of 410 Spanish adults ranging in age from 60 to 92 years who completed the SPSI-R-SF. Using the data collected from these participants, the researchers applied Rasch analysis to evaluate the scale across several psychometric properties, specifically assessing dimensionality, measurement reliability, the person separation index, and differential item functioning.

The analysis revealed that adjustments to the model, specifically including the rescoring of the response scale, were necessary to achieve optimal fit. Following these adjustments, all five subscales fulfilled the requirements of the Rasch model, demonstrating local independency and unidimensionality. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that the SPSI-R-SF is a reliable and practical multidimensional instrument for evaluating social problem-solving abilities among older Spanish adults in both research and clinical environments.

Subject of Research: Psychometric validation of the short form Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised in older adults

Article Title: Psychometric properties of the social problem-solving inventory-revised short form (SPSI-R-SF) for older adults using Rasch model analysis

Article References: García-Herranz, S., Ayala, A., del Carmen Díaz-Mardomingo, M., Forjaz, M. J., Venero, C., & Rodríguez-Blázquez, C. (2026). Psychometric properties of the social problem-solving inventory-revised short form (SPSI-R-SF) for older adults using Rasch model analysis. Current Psychology, 45(22), Article 1710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-026-10216-3

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DOI: 10.1007/s12144-026-10216-3

Keywords: social problem-solving, SPSI-R-SF, Rasch analysis, psychometrics, older adults, unidimensionality, differential item functioning, clinical assessment, Psychometric, properties, social, problem-solving