Factor Analysis of the Short-Form Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory and the Measurement Invariance by Gender

Background and purpose: The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) is a widely used measure of agitation. The purpose of this study was to test the internal consistency, reliability, and validity of short-form CMAI in a sample of nursing home residents with cognitive impairment and examine if it is invariant across gender.

Methods: This study utilized baseline data from a randomized trial including 553 residents from 55 nursing homes. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Results: Confirmatory factory analysis supported the three-factor structure including aggressive (α = .794), physically nonaggressive (α = .617), and verbally agitated (α = .718) behaviors. Invariance testing confirmed that the shortened measure is invariant across gender.

Conclusions: Findings provide validity evidence of short-form CMAI to assess agitation and gender differences in agitation in nursing home population.