The community integration questionnaire with new scoring guidelines: concurrent validity and need for appropriate norms

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the influence of demographic variables and concurrent validity when new scoring guidelines are used with the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Method: Thirty-three adult outpatients with biopsy confirmed malignant brain tumours were evaluated prior to chemotherapy. In contrast to TBI subjects, the brain tumour sample was older (x age= 46.3 years), better educated (x = 13.7 years); and gender was more evenly represented (16 male, 17 female).Results: Demographic variables mediated CIQ scores. Gender effects were still seen, with women significantly higher on Home Integration (r = 0.40, p < 0.05). Older subjects had lower CIQ scores: CIQ total (r = -0.54, p < 0.005); Home Integration (r = -0.42, p < 0.01); Social Integration (r = -0.44, p < -0.005); and Productivity (r = -0.45, p < 0.005). More education was related to higher CIQ total (r = 0.31, p < 0.05); Social Integration (r = 0.30, p < 0.05); and Productivity (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Significant relationships were seen between CIQ scores and both the Social Activity and Inactivity subscales of the Chronic Illness Problem Inventory (r = -0.43, p < 0.005 and r = -0.68, p < 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: CIQ norms for age, education, sex, and marital status are strongly recommended. Moderate concurrent validity remained with new scoring guidelines.