Abstract
BackgroundThe Assessment of Quality of Life - 6D scale (AQoL-6D) is a self-report instrument designed to provide a sensitive multidimensional evaluation of health related quality of life. The current paper assesses the construct, concurrent and convergent validity of the AQoL-6D in a combined longitudinal population sample drawn from across urban, regional and remote areas of Australia.MethodsThe AQoL-6D was administered within the Hunter Community Study and the Australian Rural Mental Health Study over time (mean years lag = 3.90, SD = 1.30). Observations with sufficient data were used to confirm the construct validity of the AQoL-6D domains and higher-order structure using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA, N = 7915). The stability of this structure across cohorts and over time was assessed using multi-group CFA. Additionally, the concurrent validity (against the SF-36) and convergent validity of AQoL-6D domains and factors were assessed.ResultsThe construct validity of the AQoL-6D domains was considered satisfactory. Two higher-order factors, representing the physical and psychological components of quality of life were identified (CFA model fit: RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .03; TLI = .96, CFI = .98). These factors displayed group and temporal invariance, as well as concurrent and convergent validity against a range of measures. Recommendations for the derivation of summary scores are provided, together with a provisional set of norms.ConclusionsThe AQoL-6D is a useful tool for assessing quality of life impairment in epidemiological cohort studies, both cross-sectionally and over time. It displays appropriate levels of construct, concurrent and convergent validity. Conceptualisation of higher-order factors as representing the physical and psychological aspects of quality of life impairment may increase the sensitivity and appeal of the AQoL-6D, particularly for studies examining predictors of and changes in social and psychological outcomes.
Highlights
The Assessment of Quality of Life - 6D scale (AQoL-6D) is a self-report instrument designed to provide a sensitive multidimensional evaluation of health related quality of life
With many countries facing the health care challenges associated with an ageing population, factors associated with quality of life (QoL) and its maintenance are of immediate interest and concern
Quality of life has typically been conceptualised as the perception of physical and psychological wellbeing or functioning, some formulations have included environmental and social assets [1]
Summary
As the purpose of this paper was to describe the structure, group and temporal invariance of the AQoL-6D across two large cohorts, and a relatively low proportion of participants had incomplete data (11%), it was judged that observations with complete data were adequate to characterise the variability observed across cohorts and phases
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