The Lancashire Quality of Life Profile: modification and psychometric evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Although widely used in Europe, the conceptual and psychometric qualities of the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQoLP) have not been thoroughly examined. Four issues need attention: coverage, scale construction, systematic missing data, and psychometric properties.


METHODS
Concept mapping was used to examine the coverage, and exploratory factor analysis to examine the empirical scale structure of the LQoLP. Data of 518 long-term patients from ten different mental health care settings were used. Modifications to the LQoLP were proposed on the basis of these findings, and its psychometric properties were tested. Thirty-one respondents participated in a test-retest reliability study (T1-T2: 2 weeks).


RESULTS
The modified LQoLP covers the quality of life-concept in a more comprehensive manner. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity are good.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified version of the LQoLP now covers ten domains, paying specific attention to patients' definition of quality of life (autonomy, coping, self-worth). Domains are now based on factor analysis. The problem of systematic missing data is solved. Psychometric properties are good. Because of moderate alphas, two domains need further investigation.
van Nieuwenhuizen
C
C
Department of Psychotherapy and Research, TBS-kliniek De Kijvelanden, Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, PO Box 900, 3160 AC Rhoon, The Netherlands. chinie@kijvelanden.nl
Schene
A H
AH
Koeter
M W
MW
Huxley
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires