Assessing assertion in the elderly: An application of the behavioral‐analytic model of competence

This study developed a behavioral measure of assertiveness for older adults. The behavioral assessment device was developed by use of procedures outlined by Goldfried and D'Zurilla (1969) and Price and Bouffard (1974). Four assertion‐appropriate situations for older adults were developed. The situations were administered to 33 Ss. Their responses were scored two ways, for overall assertion and content assertion. Generalizability of the device was examined. Reliability of judges' ratings (for assertion and content) was high, as was test‐retest reliability. Assertion was shown to be situation‐specific since estimated individual by situation universe variance was relatively high. The assessment device showed significant concurrent validity, although the evidence for construct validity was minimal. Despite the rigorousness of the methods involved, the behavioral‐analytic model of competence (Goldfried & D'Zurilla, 1969) has both theoretical and practical advantages in constructing other assessment devices for the elderly.