Establishing psychometric properties of the older volunteer competency scale in the community.

Aim(s): To investigate the factorial structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale and establish its psychometric properties.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 1,000 older volunteers were recruited through random sampling and asked to complete the Older Volunteer Competency Scale. Subsequently, 100 participants were selected to participate in a second test to determine the scale's test-retest reliability. Factorial structure was assessed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α.

Results: Favorable exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis results were obtained. In addition, the three dimensions of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale, namely service awareness, service skills, and interpersonal interaction, had high internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Conclusion: The Older Volunteer Competency Scale is an effective and reliable research instrument for evaluating competency and needs among older volunteers.