title: Applying a developmental approach to quality of life assessment in children and adolescents with psychological disorders: challenges and guidelines.
abstract: Research on the quality of life (QL) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades. Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric populations, the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research. A systematic literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, SocINDEX) from 1994 to May 2014. Quantitative studies were included if they assessed the self- or proxy-reported QL of children/adolescents with a psychological disorder. Data were extracted for study design, participants, QL instruments and informants, and statistical approach to age-related specificities. The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities. Methodological guidelines are discussed to improve the developmental validity of QL research for children/adolescents with mental disorders.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive-Behavioral Centre for Research and Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of Coimbra University, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado 6153, 3001-802 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carona
authors.forename: Neuza
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic
keywords: children and adolescents; developmental approach; patient- and proxy-reported outcomes; pediatric psychological disorders; pedopsychiatry; quality of life assessment