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Psychometric properties and Dutch norm data of the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Young Adults
Lotte Haverman1, Perrine F Limperg, Hedy A van Oers
1Psychosocial Department, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, A3-241, Postbox 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, l.haverman@amc.nl.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess internal consistency and construct validity (known-groups validity) and to provide Dutch norm data for the Dutch Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Young Adults ages 18-30 years (PedsQL fatigue_YA).
Methods:
A Dutch sample of 649 young adults completed online a sociodemographic questionnaire and the PedsQL fatigue_YA including three subscales: general fatigue, sleep/rest fatigue and cognitive fatigue (0-100: Higher scores indicate less fatigue symptoms).
Results:
The PedsQL fatigue_YA showed satisfactory to good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .70-.94), except for one scale (.68). The mean scale scores were 68.23 (SD 19.15) for 'general fatigue,' 67.04 (SD 15.54) for 'sleep/rest fatigue' and 74.62 (SD 19.02) for 'cognitive fatigue.' Men reported significantly higher scores on 'general fatigue' and 'sleep/rest fatigue' than women. The PedsQL fatigue_YA distinguished between healthy young adults and young adults with chronic health conditions, with higher scores on all scales in healthy young adults than in those with a chronic health condition.
Conclusion:
The results demonstrate good psychometric properties of the PedsQL fatigue_YA in a sample of Dutch young adults. With the current norms available, it is possible to evaluate fatigue in the Netherlands from childhood to adulthood with the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.
