Measuring quality of life in children referred for psychiatric problems: psychometric properties of the PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) generic core scales and assess its usefulness in measuring quality of life (QoL) in a child psychiatric population.


METHODS
Reliability and validity of the PedsQL were assessed in 310 referred children (ages 6-18 years) and a comparison group consisting of 74 non-referred children (ages 7-18 years), and the parents in both groups.


RESULTS
Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution. Internal consistency reliability for the PedsQL Total Scale Score (alpha = 0.84 child self-report, alpha = 0.87 parent proxy-report), Psychosocial Health Score (alpha = 0.70 child self-report, alpha = 0.81 parent proxy-report), and most subscale scores were acceptable for group comparisons. Correlations between scores of fathers and mothers were large. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated by significantly lower PedsQL scores for referred vs. non-referred children. Significant correlations between PedsQL scales and measures of psychopathology showed convergent validity. Small correlations between PedsQL scales and intelligence of the child evidenced discriminant validity.


CONCLUSIONS
The PedsQL seems a valid instrument in measuring QoL in children referred for psychiatric problems.
Bastiaansen
D
D
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. dbastiaansen@erasmusmc.nl
Koot
H M
HM
Bongers
I L
IL
Varni
J W
JW
Verhulst
F C
FC
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D019727:Proxy; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D014175:Translating