title: The KIDSCREEN-52 quality of life measure for children and adolescents: psychometric results from a cross-cultural survey in 13 European countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assesses the reliability and validity of the European KIDSCREEN-52 generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire for children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The KIDSCREEN-52, which measures HRQoL in 10 dimensions, was administered to a representative sample of 22,827 children and adolescents (8 to 18 years) in 13 European countries. Psychometric properties were assessed using the Classical Test Theory approach, Rasch analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). A priori expected associations between KIDSCREEN scales and sociodemographic and health-related factors were examined. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 10 countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the overall sample, Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. Scaling success (Multitrait Analysis Program) was >97.8% for all dimensions and Rasch analysis item fit (INFITmsq) ranged from 0.80 to 1.27. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.77. No sizeable differential item functioning (DIF) was found by age, sex or health status. Four items showed DIF across countries. The specified SEM fitted the data well (root mean square error of approximation: 0.06, comparative fit index: 0.98). Correlation coefficients between Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Child Health and Illness Profile-Adolescent Edition, and Youth Quality of Life Instrument scales and KIDSCREEN dimensions assessing similar constructs were moderate for those (r = 0.44 to 0.61). Statistically significant differences between children with and without physical and mental health problems (Children with Special Health Care Needs screener: d = 0.17 to 0.42, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: d = 0.32 to 0.72) were found in all dimensions. All dimensions showed a gradient according to socioeconomic status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire has acceptable levels of reliability and validity. Further work is needed to assess longitudinal validity and sensitivity to change.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion, University of Bielefeld, Germany. U.Ravens-Sieberer@uni-bielefeld.de
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ravens-Sieberer
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gosch
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rajmil
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erhart
authors.forename: Jeanet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruil
authors.forename: Mick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duer
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auquier
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cloetta
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Czemy
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazur
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czimbalmos
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tountas
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagquist
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kilroe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054521:Cultural Competency; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires