Exploring the conceptual framework and measurement model of intrinsic capacity defined by the World Health Organization: A scoping review

K Koivunen, L A Schaap, E O Hoogendijk, L J Schoonmade, M Huisman, N M van Schoor

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

WHO has defined intrinsic capacity (IC) as the composite of all physical and mental capacities of an individual covering five subdomains: cognition, locomotion, sensory, vitality, and psychological. Despite this well accepted definition, the conceptual and measurement model of IC remains unclear, which hampers a standardized operationalization of the construct. We performed a scoping review to give a comprehensive overview of the extent to which the current literature of IC addresses and assumes the conceptual framework and measurement model of IC as reflective or formative. For inclusion, we considered all types of articles that were published in peer-reviewed journals except for protocol articles. A systematic search of 6 databases from different disciplines led to the inclusion of 31 papers. We found inconsistency and gaps in the descriptions of IC. Most of the papers did not define the measurement model. In the conceptual background and validation articles, we identified descriptions of both reflective and formative measurement models while in empirical studies applying IC measurements the underlying assumptions remained mainly unclear. Defining a measurement model is not merely a theoretical matter but influences the operationalization and validation processes of the construct. This study raised questions about the most fundamental features of the IC construct and discusses whether IC should be considered as an underlying latent trait of all capacities (reflective construct) or an aggregate summary measure of the subdomain capacities (formative construct).

Original languageEnglish
Article number101685
Pages (from-to)101685
JournalAgeing Research Reviews
Volume80
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Funding

This work was supported by the European Research Council ERC Advanced Grant [693045 to Taina Rantanen, JYU], the Academy of Finland [310526 to Taina Rantanen, JYU], and the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) Finland. The content of this manuscript does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the manuscript lies entirely with the authors. This work was supported by the European Research Council ERC Advanced Grant [ 693045 to Taina Rantanen, JYU], the Academy of Finland [ 310526 to Taina Rantanen, JYU], and the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) Finland. The content of this manuscript does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the manuscript lies entirely with the authors.

FundersFunder number
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme693045
European Commission
European Research Council
Academy of Finland310526
Jyväskylän Yliopisto

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