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Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale
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About Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale
Scale Name
Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale
Author Details
M. Powell Lawton
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), developed by M. Powell Lawton in 1972, is a 17-item (originally 22-item) self-report or interviewer-administered questionnaire designed to measure emotional adjustment and morale in adults aged 70–90 years, applicable to both community and institutional settings. Published in Journal of Gerontology (1972), the PGCMS conceptualizes morale as a generalized sense of well-being, encompassing freedom from distress, self-satisfaction, environmental syntony, and acceptance of unchangeable circumstances. It measures three dimensions: agitation, dissatisfaction, and attitudes toward one’s own aging. The scale was developed at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center alongside other geriatric tools.
Items use a dichotomous response format (e.g., yes/no) or first-person phrasing for self-administration and second-person for interviews. Each high-morale response scores 1, yielding a 0–17 range for the Revised PGCMS (17 items). Scores can be calculated for three subscales or a global life satisfaction score, with 10–17 indicating high morale, 10–12 midrange, and ≤9 low morale. The PGCMS was validated with ~300 adults (mean age ≈ 78 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), correlating with the Life Satisfaction Index (r = 0.57–0.74). It is used in gerontology, clinical psychology, and public health to assess morale in aging populations.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the PGCMS from Lawton (1972) or the provided link, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 70–90 in community or institutional settings) that the questionnaire assesses feelings of well-being, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 17-item scale via self-report or interview in clinical or community settings, using paper or digital formats, rating current feelings.
- Estimated completion time is 5–10 minutes.
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide geriatric or mental health resources (e.g., counseling services) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The PGCMS demonstrates robust psychometric properties (Lawton, 1972). Test-retest reliability ranges from 0.91 (5 weeks) to 0.75 (3 months, N not specified). Split-half reliability for the 22-item scale is 0.79, with Kuder-Richardson internal consistency of 0.81 (N = 300). Subscale internal consistency is moderate (alpha = 0.57–0.61). Alpha for Spanish versions is 0.65 (Catalan) and 0.60 (Castilian, N not specified).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Life Satisfaction Index (r = 0.57, N = 199; r = 0.74 for LSIZ, mixed sample), Bradburn’s positive affect (r = 0.20–0.35), and negative affect (r = -0.59 to -0.62). The Sickness Impact Profile psychological dimension correlates at -0.40. Factor analysis (N = 300) identifies six factors (surgency, attitudes toward aging, satisfaction, anxiety, depression vs. optimism, loneliness), later refined to three (attitudes toward aging, agitation, loneliness). Discriminant validity is shown by item reliability differences across racial groups. The PGCMS detects morale variations in aging populations. Pairing with the Life Satisfaction Index or Affect Balance Scale enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
22-Items
Reference
Lawton, M. P. (1972). The dimensions of morale. Research planning and action for the elderly: The power and potential of social science, 144-165.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the PGCMS measure?
It measures morale via agitation, dissatisfaction, and attitudes toward aging in older adults.
Who is the target population?
Adults (70–90) in community or institutional settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–10 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses morale to guide geriatric mental health interventions.
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