An investigation of the construct validity of the ICECAP-A capability measure

Hareth Al-Janabi,Joanna Coast,Alison Moody,Terry N Flynn,John Brazier,Tim J Peters,Sam Clemens,Stirling Bryan

doi:10.1007/s11136-012-0293-5

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the construct validity of the ICECAP-A capability wellbeing measure.MethodsA face-to-face interview-administered survey was conducted with 418 members of the UK general population, randomly sampled from the Postcode Address File. Pre-specified hypotheses were developed about the expected associations between individuals’ ICECAP-A responses and their socio-economic circumstances, health and freedom. The hypotheses were investigated using statistical tests of association.ResultsThe ICECAP-A responses and scores reflected differences across different health and socioeconomic groups as anticipated, but did not distinguish individuals by the level of local deprivation. Mean ICECAP-A scores reflected individuals’ perceived freedom slightly more closely than did measures of health and happiness.ConclusionThis study suggests that the ICECAP-A measure can identify expected differences in capability wellbeing in a general population sample. Further work could establish whether self-reported capabilities exhibit desirable validity and acceptability in sub-groups of the population such as patients, social care recipients and informal carers.

Highlights

The capability approach advocates assessing wellbeing in terms of individuals’ ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’
This study suggests that the ICECAP-A measure can identify expected differences in capability wellbeing in a general population sample
This paper reports a series of investigations of the construct validity of the ICECAP-A descriptive system and index scores, focussing on associations between reported capability and individuals’ socio-economic circumstances and health status

Summary

Introduction

The capability approach advocates assessing wellbeing in terms of individuals’ ‘functionings’ and ‘capabilities’. Interest in using the capability approach in the health field has grown in recent years, with. Recent work has been conducted to develop measures of capability as a way of operationalising the capability approach. One stream of work has sought to develop capability ‘indicators’ using existing survey questions [11], relating to Martha Nussbaum’s list of central human capabilities [12]. Another approach to operationalising the capability approach is in using interviews with the public to generate a set of core capabilities, which can be assessed using short, self-completion questionnaires, such as the ICECAP measures [13, 14]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion