ARMT Interpretation

The ARMT has two purposes: (1) to raise individual awareness on the topic of mobility loss and to encourage proactive discussion and planning; and (2) as a “clinical” questionnaire to assess relevant personal perspectives in the context of Mobility Transition Counseling (MTC). The Total Score applies to both purposes in that it provides an overall gauge of felt concern about this issue. The Subscale Scores are more specific and best discussed and interpreted with professional guidance.

The Total and Subscale scores are calculated and interpreted as mean (average) scores. High scores are defined as falling 1+ standard deviation (SD) units above the mean for that item. High scores suggest strongly held beliefs that could interfere with adaptive coping. For example, someone scoring high on Factor 2 (Perceived Burden) may resist reaching out to others for help even when appropriate to do so. Someone scoring high on Factor 4 (Adverse Situation) may view mobility loss more negatively than is helpful, and so might benefit from focused education to bring balance.  

At first glance, some of the 24 items may appear to be worded rather strongly. Many of these are direct or paraphrased quotations from older adults who participated in a series of focus groups. ARMT items are intended to encourage the expression of diverse viewpoints so that individual meanings, emotions and attitudes may be identified and addressed.

A high Total Score is characterized by significant felt anxiety, worry about a loss of personal independence, and concern about becoming a burden on others. High scorers may resist depending on others for transportation and may also delay making mobility-related plans until a crisis ensues. In these ways, high Total and Subscale Scores suggest that the respondent may not be fully ready (i.e., from an emotional and attitudinal perspective) to cope effectively with mobility loss/change. High scorers may benefit from a supportive intervention. Such intervention may be as simple a one-time education session or a more involved in the MTC process.

Users are cautioned not to “over interpret” ARMT scores and always consider responses in light of other available information. Some strongly held beliefs can be adaptive. Scores are not intended to suggest pathology or that a person’s views are wrong, but rather a starting point for self-evaluation, proactive discussion and future planning.

    1. A low Total Score (<2.3) indicates high readiness/preparedness. The individual has an open, flexible, proactive approach to aging and life change.

    2. An average Total Score (2.3  ̶  3.56) indicates a mixed readiness/preparedness picture. The individual is open to the topic of mobility loss, but possibly unsure in some areas. For example, while the Total Score may be in the average range, a Subscale Score, such as Perceived Burden, may be high, indicating a need to discuss and process this area before moving forward.

    3. A high Total Score (>3.56) indicates low readiness/preparedness. The individual has strongly held beliefs and feelings that likely will interfere with discussion and planning. A “go slow” approach is warranted. Beliefs and feelings must be discussed, understood validated, and normalized before any focused planning takes place.

To view the full ARMT Interpretation Manual, click here. The manual is in Acrobat PDF format.