The European Portuguese WHOQOL-OLD module and the new facet Family/Family life: reliability and validity studies

Qual Life Res. 2016 Sep;25(9):2367-72. doi: 10.1007/s11136-016-1275-9. Epub 2016 Mar 29.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD). The European Portuguese WHOQOL-OLD includes a new identified facet, Family/Family life.

Methods: A convenience sample of older adults was recruited (N = 921). The assessment protocol included demographics, self-perceived health, depressive symptoms (GDS-30), cognitive function (ACE-R), daily life activities (IAFAI), health status (SF-12) and QoL (WHOQOL-Bref, EUROHIS-QOL-8 and WHOQOL-OLD).

Results: The internal consistency was excellent for the total 24-item WHOQOL-OLD original version and also for the final 28-item European Portuguese WHOQOL-OLD version. The test-retest reliability for total scores was good. The construct validity of the European Portuguese WHOQOL-OLD was supported in the correlation matrix analysis. The results indicated good convergent/divergent validity. The WHOQOL-OLD scores differentiated groups of older adults who were healthy/unhealthy and without/mild/severe depressive symptoms. The new facet, Family/Family life, presented evidence of good reliability and validity parameters.

Conclusion: Comparatively to international studies, the European Portuguese WHOQOL-OLD version showed similar and/or better psychometric properties. The new facet, Family/Family life, introduces cross-cultural specificity to the study of QoL of older adults and generally improves the psychometric robustness of the WHOQOL-OLD.

Keywords: Family/Family life facet; Psychometric properties; Quality of life; WHOQOL-OLD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Europe
  • Family Relations / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Portugal
  • Psychometrics / methods*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • World Health Organization