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Published on: February 2, 2020
How appropriate is the WHOQOL-BREF for assessing the quality of life of adolescents?
S M Skevington1, S Dehner, F B Gillison
1a Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychological Sciences, Manchester Centre for Health Psychology , University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.
Background:
Using mixed-methods research, we investigated whether the adult version of the WHOQOL-BREF was acceptable and feasible to use with adolescents (13-19), and what features might need to be changed to develop it. Differences from young adults quality of life (QoL) (20-30 years) could add justification.
Methods:
Preliminary psychometric properties of the adult WHOQOL-BREF were examined in 208 adolescents and 204 young adults. Unhealthy adolescents diagnosed with acne or elevated depressive symptoms (CES-D) were compared with healthy adolescents. Cognitive interviewing used 'think aloud' techniques with six healthy adolescents during WHOQOL-BREF completion. Concepts and wording were thematically analysed for relevance, comprehension and comprehensiveness.
Results:
Little data were missing from the WHOQOL-BREF suggesting some feasibility and acceptability to adolescents. Compared with adults, adolescents perceived greater access to information, a better home environment, worse pain, and medication dependency. Internal consistency reliability for adolescents was good (α = .89), especially psychological and environmental QoL. Content validity especially for social and environment domains was supported. Domains validly discriminated between high- and low-depressive symptoms but not acne groups. Additional new facets on autonomy, altruism and physical fitness and changed item contents are proposed.
Conclusion:
The evidence indicates that developing a new adolescent version is justifiable. Cross-cultural research should build on these preliminary findings.
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