title: Development and validation of the positive affect and well-being scale for the neurology quality of life (Neuro-QOL) measurement system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and validate an item-response theory-based patient-reported outcomes assessment tool of positive affect and well-being (PAW). This is part of a larger NINDS-funded study to develop a health-related quality of life measurement system across major neurological disorders, called Neuro-QOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Informed by a literature review and qualitative input from clinicians and patients, item pools were created to assess PAW concepts. Items were administered to a general population sample (N = 513) and a group of individuals with a variety of neurologic conditions (N = 581) for calibration and validation purposes, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 23-item calibrated bank and a 9-item short form of PAW was developed, reflecting components of positive affect, life satisfaction, or an overall sense of purpose and meaning. The Neuro-QOL PAW measure demonstrated sufficient unidimensionality and displayed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, model fit, convergent and discriminant validity, and responsiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Neuro-QOL PAW measure was designed to aid clinicians and researchers to better evaluate and understand the potential role of positive health processes for individuals with chronic neurological conditions. Further psychometric testing within and between neurological conditions, as well as testing in non-neurologic chronic diseases, will help evaluate the generalizability of this new tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2700, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA, j-salsman@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Salsman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Victorson
authors.forename: Seung W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Amy H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Peterman
authors.forename: Allen W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nowinski
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires