Oral health-related quality of life for 8-10-year-old children: an assessment of a new measure.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Child Oral Health-Related Quality of Life for 8-10-year-olds (COHRQoL [8-10]) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and to test the measurement properties of latent variables believed to define the multidimensional construct of OHRQoL.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 270, year 4 children from six schools was obtained. The administered questionnaire included the 25-item COHRQoL [8-10] and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory-School Form. The analytical method was based upon CFA using maximum likelihood estimation. A second-order factoring approach was applied to determine the extent that the latent variables tapped a single over-arching domain of quality of life.


RESULTS
Seven items were withdrawn for low endorsement and poor association with resultant factors. The COHRQoL [8-10] was confirmed to measure a single construct of three latent variables invariant to gender. Internal consistency of the three scales derived comprising a total of 18 retained items was acceptable. Associations with self-esteem and with a single question on the extent that the mouth was a problem were confirmed and strengthened the construct validity of the COHRQoL [8-10] measure.


CONCLUSIONS
Reliability and construct validity were demonstrated for COHRQoL [8-10] and supported the scale for adoption as an epidemiological and scientific tool for group comparisons. CFA showed that the three constructs or latent variables underlying the overall COHRQoL ratings were discrete measures that can be reliably assessed in children. Further model testing with additional data will increase generalization of these findings.
Humphris
Gerry
G
Health Psychology, Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
Freeman
Ruth
R
Gibson
Barry
B
Simpson
Kirk
K
Whelton
Helen
H
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires