title: Back pain beliefs in adolescents and adults in Australasia: A cross-sectional pilot study of selected psychometric properties of paper-based and web-based questionnaires in two diverse countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unknown whether questionnaires measuring psychosocial constructs related to low back pain (LBP) that were originally designed for adults are suitable for adolescents, and if paper and web-versions have similar measurement properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine selected psychometric properties for the paper- and web-based Back-Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-phys) among adults and adolescents in two diverse countries and to determine whether differences existed between countries and pain groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 156 adults (Hong Kong, n= 75; Australia, n= 81) and 96 adolescents (Hong Kong, n= 61; Australia, n= 35) participated in this cross-sectional study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main effects for country and administration mode were observed in adult BBQ scores, where Australian adults reported significantly higher BBQ scores than Hong Kong adults (mean difference (MD); 95% CI: 2.85; 0.96-4.74) and significantly higher scores were recorded on the web mode compared to the paper mode (MD 0.74; 0.10-1.38). Similarly, Hong Kong adults and adolescents reported higher FABQ-phys scores than Australian adults and adolescents (MD; 95% CI: 3.40; 1.37-5.43 and 4.88; 0.53-9.23, respectively). Internal consistency values were mostly acceptable (α ≥ 0.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences exist between cultures for LBP-related beliefs. The BBQ and FABQ-phys have acceptable measurement properties in both administration modes.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, WA, Australia.|Armadale Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Boon-Kiang
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: ASPETAR Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.|School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western, Australia.
authors.forename: Angus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin University, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hallett
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, WA, Australia.|Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044362:Australasia; D001315:Australia; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Psychometrics; adolescent; adult; beliefs; low back pain