Psychometric Evaluation of the WHO Ageism Experiences Scale Among Older Adults in Four Colombian Cities

Abstract: The WHO Ageism Experiences Scale (WHO-Ageism-E15) assesses ageism across stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. While designed for diverse cultural settings, its use has mostly been limited to European contexts. This study presents the first Spanish translation of the scale and examines its factorial, convergent, and concurrent validity and internal consistency reliability, among older adults in four Colombian cities. The WHO-Ageism-E15 scores showed acceptable psychometric properties in this context. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure for the reflective (self-directed) items (CFI = .891, SRMR = .054), with McDonald’s omega (ω) = .59 and the scores demonstrated moderate convergent validity with the Perceived Ageism Questionnaire. Concurrent validity was evidenced by significant associations between self-directed and interpersonal-directed ageism and poorer health and psychosocial outcomes, including increased loneliness, reduced well-being, and worse physical and psychological health. Lower income and education levels were linked to greater experiences of self-directed and interpersonal ageism. Mean scores indicated moderate levels of ageism overall. These findings highlight the scale’s applicability in Latin America and provide the first validation of a Spanish version.