Assessing the Psychometric Properties of Both a Global and a Domain-Specific Perceived Quality of Life Measure When Used with Youth Who Have Chronic Conditions

Janette Mcdougall,Linda Miller,Megan Nichols,Virginia Wright

doi:10.1007/s11205-012-0200-z

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to assess the psychometric properties of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) when used with youth who have chronic conditions. Baseline data from a longitudinal study examining predictors of changes in perceived quality of life (PQOL) for youth with chronic conditions were used. SLSS and BMSLSS data were collected on over 400 youth aged 11–17 using youth self-report and parent proxy-report versions. Internal consistency, convergent validity, and factor structure were examined for both versions. Extent of agreement and magnitude of differences between youth and parent report were evaluated. Finally, gender, age, and condition group differences in youth report scores were examined for the SLSS and BMSLSS. Strong internal consistency was demonstrated for the youth and parent reports of both measures. As with normative samples, a single factor structure was found for youth and parent reports of the BMSLSS. However, both youth and parent reports of the SLSS had a two-factor structure: one consisting of five positively worded items, and the other, two negatively worded items. Youth reported their PQOL to be significantly higher than did their parents. Significant differences in PQOL scores for the youth report were not found by age, gender, or conditions. Findings show that, from a psychometric standpoint, the BMSLSS (both youth and parent report) is a promising measure of PQOL for use in population-based research with youth who have chronic conditions. The SLSS may need to be revised to exclude negative items when used with this population of youth.

Highlights

The concept of quality of life (QOL) has increasingly been a focus of interest in health and rehabilitation research throughout the past three decades (Moons et al 2006)
No significant differences in either Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) or Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) youth report scores existed for age (F = 1.07; p \ 0.38; F = 0.72; p \ 0.63) or gender at p \ 0.01 (t = 2.26; p \ 0.02; t = 0.88; p \ 0.38), respectively
This paper is the first to assess the psychometric properties of both the SLSS and the BMSLSS using a sample of youth with chronic conditions

Summary

Introduction

The concept of quality of life (QOL) has increasingly been a focus of interest in health and rehabilitation research throughout the past three decades (Moons et al 2006) In these areas of research, QOL has often been evaluated in terms of concepts like physical symptoms, functional status, or general health. Studies that have taken this approach have found significant personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors related to PQOL for children and youth in the general population, including emotional and behavioral functioning, physical activity, relationships with parents and peers, social participation, and neighborhood quality (Fogle et al 2002; Gilman 2001; Gilman and Huebner 2003; Huebner et al 2004, 2007; Proctor et al 2009a; Valois et al 2001)

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