Brief Description

The ROPE is a self-report instrument consisting of 20 items that assess both positive and negative behaviors or attitudes toward older adults. The items reflect behaviors that may occur in everyday interactions with elderly individuals, such as overprotection, neglect, or expressions of appreciation. The questionnaire includes two subscales: “Positive Attitudes” and “Negative Attitudes.”

Purpose

The purpose of the ROPE is to measure the frequency of specific behaviors or perceptions toward older adults in order to better understand interpersonal dynamics and promote positive interactions, while also addressing age-related biases.

Scoring Method

Participants are asked to indicate how often they have exhibited each behavior using a five-point Likert scale (1 = never to 5 = very often). Scores from the 20 items are summed for each subscale. Higher scores indicate a greater frequency of either positive or negative attitudes, respectively.

Validity

The construct and discriminant validity of the ROPE have been confirmed through factor analysis, which revealed two distinct factors. Additionally, significant correlations with other age-attitude measurement tools support the convergent validity of the instrument.

Reliability

The tool demonstrates high internal consistency. Cronbach’s alpha for the Positive Attitudes subscale ranges from 0.85 to 0.91, and for the Negative Attitudes subscale from 0.80 to 0.88. Test–retest reliability is also satisfactory.

Data Analysis and Use

Data can be analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations), and differences may be examined based on gender, age, experience with older adults, or professional role using t-tests, ANOVA, or similar methods. The ROPE is widely used in research and educational settings, including training programs for healthcare professionals.

References

Cherry, K. E., Palmore, E., & Whittington, F. J. (2002). Knowledge of aging: A test of Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quizzes. The Gerontologist, 42(4), 534–539.
Burbank, P. M., Dowling-Castronovo, A., Crowther, M. R., & Capezuti, E. (2006). Improving knowledge and attitudes toward older adults through innovative educational strategies. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22(2), 91–97.
Cottle, N., & Glover, R. J. (2007). Combating ageism: Change in student knowledge and attitudes regarding aging. Educational Gerontology, 33(6), 501–512.