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El-Haj-Mohamad R, Böttche M, Vöhringer M, Specht F, Stammel N, Nesterko Y, Knaevelsrud C, Wagner B. An internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for adults with depression in Arabic-speaking countries: A randomized controlled trial. Stress Health 2024:e3432. [PMID: 38806256 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Internet-based interventions have proven to be effective for the treatment of depression in different samples, but evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention for Arabic-speaking participants with depression living in the MENA region. A total of 259 participants (167 female, age in years: M = 25.58, SD = 6.39) with depressive symptoms indicative of clinical relevance were randomly allocated to a treatment group (TG; nTG = 128) or a waitlist control group (WG; nWG = 131). The TG received an internet-based intervention over a 6-week period. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life (QoL). T-tests with change scores from pre- to post-treatment were used for data analyses. Intention-to-treat (ITT) as well as completer analyses were calculated. The ITT analysis revealed significant differences between the TG and WG in depression (T257 = -4.89, p < 0.001, d = 0.70) and QoL (T257 = 3.39, p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Significant differences regarding anxiety symptoms (T257 = 3.25, p < 0.05, d = 0.53) were identified for the completer sample. The general dropout rate was 39.9%. The results indicate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural writing intervention in adults from Arabic-speaking countries. The development and implementation of such interventions can be used to improve access to psychological help and adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan El-Haj-Mohamad
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Böttche
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Vöhringer
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Freya Specht
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuriy Nesterko
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Schmidt S, Markwart H, Rapp M, Guyard A, Arnaud C, Fauconnier J, Thyen U, Hahm S, Vidart d’Egurbide Bagazgoïtia N, Muehlan H. Quality of life and mental health in emerging adults with cerebral palsy compared to the general population. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20:61. [PMID: 35366892 PMCID: PMC8976958 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-022-01961-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While evidence concerning Quality of Life (QoL) in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison to the general population has been accumulating, there is a lack of studies exploring differences on a wider range of positive and negative mental health outcomes in emerging adults.
Methods This binational case control study is part of the SPARCLE cohort study on QoL and participation of youth with CP. QoL (WHOQOL-BREF), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and self-efficacy (GSE) were assessed in 198 emerging adults with CP and 593 emerging adults from the general population, matched for country of residence, age and gender. ANCOVAs with impairment and pain as covariates were run.
Results Similar levels of QoL were found in both samples, except for the environmental domain, with better QoL for emerging adults with CP compared to the general population. There were significant descriptive differences regarding depression with worse levels in the CP sample, however, also worse levels of self-efficacy. Pain as a covariate had a significant negative impact on all measures, leading to poorer self-efficacy while worsening depression and anxiety; impairment had a significant worsening impact on physical QoL and self-efficacy only. Conclusion Similar expressions of mental health outcomes in emerging adults with CP and the general population indicate the high adaptive capability of emerging adults with CP.
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Yu Y, Shen M, Niu L, Liu YE, Xiao S, Tebes JK. The relationship between clinical recovery and personal recovery among people living with schizophrenia: A serial mediation model and the role of disability and quality of life. Schizophr Res 2022; 239:168-175. [PMID: 34896871 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examine the relationship between two perspectives on recovery from schizophrenia: clinical recovery and personal recovery. Clinical recovery emphasizes an individual's psychiatric symptoms and functioning, whereas personal recovery emphasizes adaptation to one's illness that includes taking responsibility for one's recovery, establishing an identity apart from the illness, and finding meaning, purpose, and hope in life. METHODS Using serial mediation analysis, we examine the relationship between clinical and personal recovery in the context of two potential mediators, disability and quality of life. Study participants were 356 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and living with family in Changsha City of Hunan Province, China. RESULTS Although clinical recovery was modestly associated with personal recovery (r = 0.27, p < 0.001), subsequent serial mediation analysis showed that clinical recovery is not directly related to personal recovery when accounting for disability and quality of life. Clinical recovery was a significant predictor of disability, which predicted quality of life and personal recovery. Among the three mediation paths, quality of life accounted for most of the mediation effect (54%), followed by disability (24%), and disability and quality of life serially (22%). We discuss the implications of these findings for theory development, intervention, and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan, China; Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 389 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Minxue Shen
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lu Niu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu-E Liu
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Affiliated Hainan Hospital, Hainan Medical University, 31 Longhua Road, Longhua District, Haikou City, Hainan, China
| | - Shuiyuan Xiao
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jacob Kraemer Tebes
- Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 389 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Pasanen TP, Tamminen N, Martelin T, Mankinen K, Solin P. Profiles of subjective health among people living alone: a latent class analysis. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1335. [PMID: 34229635 PMCID: PMC8261976 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11396-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Living alone has increased globally and especially in Finland where 45% of all households are single occupancy. Epidemiological research has found that living alone a risk factor for a wide range of adversities related to quality of life but the rapidly-changing demographics of people living alone calls for a more detailed investigation of their subjective health status. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey sent for a random sample of Finnish residents in single-person households (n = 884), we explored with latent class analysis whether the respondents form different health profiles based on the three health dimensions defined by the World Health Organization: physical, social, and mental well-being. The identified groups were then compared in terms of demographic characteristics with the χ2 test and quality of life using linear regression models. Sensitivity analyses were run using more refined, manual 3-step BCH method. Results Four distinct health profiles were found: Languishing (4%), Managing (35%), Healthy (30%), and Flourishing (31%). The groups differed in most socio-demographic aspects such as marital and employment status, but not in terms of geographic location or gender (apart from group Languishing that contained more men). Controlling for these socio-demographic differences, all groups showed different average levels of perceived quality of life to the expected direction. Conclusions Our findings suggest that people living alone are indeed a very heterogeneous group in terms of subjective health. Instead of seeing living alone as a mere risk for low quality of life, concept of living alone should be understood more broadly both in public discussion and scientific research. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11396-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tytti P Pasanen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality / Mental health, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland. .,Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Knowledge Management and Co-creation / Knowledge Base for Health and Welfare Management, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Nina Tamminen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality / Mental health, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Martelin
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality / Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katariina Mankinen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality / Mental health, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pia Solin
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality / Mental health, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland
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Kelly PJ, Beck AK, Baker AL, Deane FP, Hides L, Manning V, Shakeshaft A, Larance B, Neale J, Kelly J, Oldmeadow C, Searles A, Treloar C, Gray RM, Argent A, McGlaughlin R. Feasibility of a Mobile Health App for Routine Outcome Monitoring and Feedback in Mutual Support Groups Coordinated by SMART Recovery Australia: Protocol for a Pilot Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 9:e15113. [PMID: 32673272 PMCID: PMC7380906 DOI: 10.2196/15113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the importance and popularity of mutual support groups, there have been no systematic attempts to implement and evaluate routine outcome monitoring (ROM) in these settings. Unlike other mutual support groups for addiction, trained facilitators lead all Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) groups, thereby providing an opportunity to implement ROM as a routine component of SMART Recovery groups. OBJECTIVE This study protocol aims to describe a stage 1 pilot study designed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a novel, purpose-built mobile health (mHealth) ROM and feedback app (Smart Track) in SMART Recovery groups coordinated by SMART Recovery Australia (SRAU) The secondary objectives are to describe Smart Track usage patterns, explore psychometric properties of the ROM items (ie, internal reliability and convergent and divergent validity), and provide preliminary evidence for participant reported outcomes (such as alcohol and other drug use, self-reported recovery, and mental health). METHODS Participants (n=100) from the SMART Recovery groups across New South Wales, Australia, will be recruited to a nonrandomized, prospective, single-arm trial of the Smart Track app. There are 4 modes of data collection: (1) ROM data collected from group participants via the Smart Track app, (2) data analytics summarizing user interactions with Smart Track, (3) quantitative interview and survey data of group participants (baseline, 2-week follow-up, and 2-month follow-up), and (4) qualitative interviews with group participants (n=20) and facilitators (n=10). Feasibility and acceptability (primary objectives) will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, a cost analysis, and a qualitative evaluation. RESULTS At the time of submission, 13 sites (25 groups per week) had agreed to be involved. Funding was awarded on August 14, 2017, and ethics approval was granted on April 26, 2018 (HREC/18/WGONG/34; 2018/099). Enrollment is due to commence in July 2019. Data collection is due to be finalized in October 2019. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use ROM and tailored feedback within a mutual support group setting for addictive behaviors. Our study design will provide an opportunity to identify the acceptability of a novel mHealth ROM and feedback app within this setting and provide detailed information on what factors promote or hinder ROM usage within this context. This project aims to offer a new tool, should Smart Track prove feasible and acceptable, that service providers, policy makers, and researchers could use in the future to understand the impact of SMART Recovery groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000686101; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377336. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/15113.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Kelly
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Alison K Beck
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Amanda L Baker
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Frank P Deane
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Leanne Hides
- Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Lives Lived Well Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane St Lucia, Australia
| | - Victoria Manning
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony Shakeshaft
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Briony Larance
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Joanne Neale
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Kelly
- Centre for Addiction Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christopher Oldmeadow
- Clinical Research Design, IT and Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Andrew Searles
- Health Research Economics Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca M Gray
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Schindel D, Schneider A, Grittner U, Jöbges M, Schenk L. Quality of life after stroke rehabilitation discharge: a 12-month longitudinal study. Disabil Rehabil 2019; 43:2332-2341. [PMID: 31846594 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1699173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyse trends in quality of life (QoL) development among older stroke patients within the first year after rehabilitation discharge, and to investigate the impact of including proxy interviews in research and practice. METHODS A prospective cohort study with follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months with 411 patients and proxy respondents was conducted. The EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index was used to assess QoL. By performing descriptive analyses, QoL development over time was compared among subgroups. Linear mixed models were calculated to estimate mean changes from baseline to 12-month follow-up. The effects of patient characteristics and time on QoL were investigated using comprehensive mixed models. RESULTS One year after rehabilitation discharge, the majority of patients had neither maintained nor regained their initial QoL. Proxy respondents reported significantly lower QoL (22.6-29.5 points, p < 0.001). Characteristics associated with lower QoL were stroke severity, depression, and pain. Having a small social network was negatively associated with QoL (-1.66 points, 95%CI: -2.84/-0.48, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Quality of life scores reported at the time of rehabilitation discharge are often not lasting. Including severely impaired patients via proxies reduces the risk of overestimating QoL outcomes. Outpatient's characteristics should be taken into account when planning therapy strategies to maintain previously achieved health goals. Regular re-assessments are required.Implications for rehabilitationThere should be an awareness that improvements in quality of life (QoL) achieved during rehabilitation are not sustainable.Regularly re-assessing pain status, psychological burden, and social network size could help clinicians to determine treatment strategies for maintaining and improving rehabilitation achievements.Conducting proxy interviews is required to assess disease burden of patients with severe stroke (e.g., non-linguistic patients).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Schindel
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Schneider
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Grittner
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Jöbges
- Department of Neurology, Brandenburg Klinik, Bernau, Germany
| | - Liane Schenk
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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Peterson L, Ralston M. Aging well in an aging world: The impact of material conditions, culture, and societal disruptions. Soc Sci Med 2019; 220:245-253. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Steinsbekk S, Jozefiak T, Ødegård R, Wichstrøm L. Impaired parent-reported quality of life in treatment-seeking children with obesity is mediated by high levels of psychopathology. Qual Life Res 2010; 18:1159-67. [PMID: 20131477 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-009-9535-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the current study was to explore psychopathology as a mediator of quality of life (QOL) in children and adolescents with obesity. The notion that psychopathology and QOL are two distinct constructs was also tested. METHODS A sample of treatment-seeking children and adolescents with obesity (n = 185, average age = 11.5, mean BMI SDS = 3.03) was matched to a community sample of children (n = 799, average age = 11.5). Both self- and parent-reported measures of QOL (KINDL-R) and psychopathology (CBCL/YSR) was completed. RESULTS Parent-reported QOL was impaired, and both self-reported and parent-reported psychopathology was elevated in children and adolescents with obesity. Psychopathology accounted for all the variance of the effect of obesity on parent-reported QOL. The distinction between QOL and psychopathology was supported through confirmatory factor analysis. CONCLUSION Impaired parent-reported QOL in children and adolescents with obesity was attributable to their elevated levels of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silje Steinsbekk
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Dragvoll, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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The relationship between overall quality of life and its subdimensions was influenced by culture: analysis of an international database. J Clin Epidemiol 2008; 61:788-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2006] [Revised: 05/30/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Brähler E, Mühlan H, Albani C, Schmidt S. Teststatistische Prüfung und Normierung der deutschen Versionen des EUROHIS-QOL Lebensqualität-Index und des WHO-5 Wohlbefindens-Index. DIAGNOSTICA 2007. [DOI: 10.1026/0012-1924.53.2.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag berichtet über die teststatistische Prüfung und Normierung der deutschen Versionen des EUROHIS-QOL 8 Item Index (EUROHIS-QOL) zur Erfassung der generischen Lebensqualität und des Wohlbefindens-Index der WHO (WHO-5) zur Erfassung der Wohlbefindens aus Sicht der Befragten. Datengrundlage bildet eine repräsentative Stichprobe der bundesdeutschen Bevölkerung aus dem Jahr 2004. Die teststatistische Prüfung verweist auf gute psychometrische Eigenschaften des EUROHIS-QOL Index. Obgleich Modifikationsmöglichkeiten bestehen, wird die Selektion von Items ausgeschlossen, weil dies den komzeptuellen Vorgaben der Indexkonstruktion widersprechen würde. Die Ergebnisse der teststatistischen Prüfung des WHO-5 sind hinsichtlich der psychometrischen Eigenschaften als ausgezeichnet einzuschätzen. Erstmals werden geschlechts- und altersgruppenspezifische Normwerte für die deutschsprachigen Versionen der beiden Instrumente vorgelegt.
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Schmidt S, Mühlan H, Power M. The EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index: psychometric results of a cross-cultural field study. Eur J Public Health 2005; 16:420-8. [PMID: 16141303 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cki155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 351] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survey research including multiple health indicators requires brief indices for use in cross-cultural studies, which have, however, rarely been tested in terms of their psychometric quality. Recently, the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index was developed as an adaptation of the WHOQOL-100 and the WHOQOL-BREF. The aim of the current study was to test the psychometric properties of the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index. METHODS In a survey on 4849 European adults, the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index was assessed across 10 countries, with equal samples adjusted for selected sociodemographic data. Participants were also investigated with a chronic condition checklist, measures on general health perception, mental health, health-care utilization and social support. RESULTS Findings indicated good internal consistencies across a range of countries, showing acceptable convergent validity with physical and mental health measures, and the measure discriminates well between individuals that report having a longstanding condition and healthy individuals across all countries. Differential item functioning was less frequently observed in those countries that were geographically and culturally closer to the UK, but acceptable across all countries. A universal one-factor structure with a good fit in structural equation modelling analyses (SEM) was identified with, however, limitations in model fit for specific countires. CONCLUSIONS The short EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index showed good cross-cultural field study performance and a satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, and can therefore be recommended for use in public health research. In future studies the measure should also be tested in multinational clinical studies, particularly in order to test its sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Schmidt
- Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital of Hamburg, Germany.
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