Translation of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire in French and its Validation

Abstract

Background. Questionnaires measuring occupational balance have been created in recent years, but those available in French are limited. Purpose. This study aimed to translate and transculturally adapt the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and to examine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the French version. Methodology. A cross-cultural validation was conducted with adults in Quebec (n = 69) and in French-speaking Switzerland (n = 47). Results. Internal consistency was good in both regions (α > 0.85). Test-retest reliability was satisfactory in Quebec (ICC = 0.629; p < 0.001), but a significant difference was found between the two measurement times in French-speaking Switzerland. Significant associations were found between the results of the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and those of the Life Balance Inventory (Quebec, r = 0.47; French-speaking Switzerland, r = 0.52). Implications. These initial results support the use of the OBQ-French in the general population of two French-speaking regions.