title: Validation of the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire for use with medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to validate the use of the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire with medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 274 medical students in their fourth and fifth years of study (80% response rate) completed the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. The four-domain factor structure of the questionnaire was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. A variety of other tests of reliability and validity were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Goodness-of-fit indices from the confirmatory factor analysis were acceptable, and the factor structure of the WHOQOL-BREF was confirmed in this sample. Reliability was good, but three of the items showed strong ceiling effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WHOQOL-BREF is valid to use with medical students to assess health-related quality of life. Some items, such as those inquiring about pain and medication, may not be suitable for medical students or young people in general.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. chris.krageloh@aut.ac.nz
authors.forename: C U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Krägeloh
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Henning
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hawken
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Billington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult