Psychology RootsMultilevel Assessment Instrument
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About Multilevel Assessment Instrument
Scale Name
Multilevel Assessment Instrument
Author Details
M. Powell Lawton
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Multilevel Assessment Instrument (MAI), developed by M. Powell Lawton in 1982, is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to measure the overall well-being of community-dwelling elderly individuals. Published in Journal of Gerontology (1982), the MAI covers seven dimensions with 147 items: physical health, activities of daily living (ADL), psychological well-being, environment, social interaction, and two others (medical and demographic data, 81 items, not scored here). It includes the ADL and IADL items from the OARS OMFAQ and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, assessing health problems, ADL skills, psychological well-being, housing quality, personal security, and social interaction. Administered via home interview (~50 minutes), it draws from established indices for a holistic profile.
The MAI yields 14 subscale scores (e.g., housing quality, neighborhood quality) and seven dimension ratings (0–10 or similar, higher = better functioning), based on respondent behavior and interviewer impressions. It was validated with elderly community samples (mean age ≈ 70–85 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), correlating with health and well-being measures. Used in gerontology and care planning, access requires the manual from the Polisher Research Institute (www.abramsoncenter.org/PRI/scales.htm).
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the MAI from Lawton (1982) or the Polisher Research Institute, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (elderly adults 65+ in community settings) that the interview assesses well-being, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 147-item home interview by a trained interviewer, incorporating informant input, rating dimensions based on responses and observations.
- Estimated completion time is ~50 minutes.
- Ensure a supportive environment; provide geriatric resources (e.g., counseling) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., clear language, assistance) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The MAI demonstrates solid psychometric properties (Lawton, 1982). Internal consistency is moderate to high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.70–0.85 across subscales, N not specified). Test-retest reliability is moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80) over intervals. Inter-rater reliability varies with training (specific r not provided).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the OARS OMFAQ (r ≈ 0.70–0.80) and morale scales. Discriminant validity is evidenced by its multi-domain differentiation of well-being levels. Factor analysis supports the seven-dimension structure, reinforcing construct validity. The MAI reliably assesses elderly well-being. Pairing with the PGCMS or Katz ADL Index enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
147-Items
Reference
Lawton, M. P., Moss, M., Fulcomer, M., & Kleban, M. H. (1982). A research and service oriented multilevel assessment instrument. Journal of gerontology, 37(1), 91-99.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MAI measure?
It measures elderly well-being across physical health, ADL, psychological, environmental, and social domains.
Who is the target population?
Community-dwelling elderly (65+) for comprehensive assessment.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 50 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses needs to guide geriatric care planning.
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