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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 4/2011

01-08-2011 | Original Article

Development and validation of the stressful life event questionnaire

Authors: Hamidreza Roohafza, Mohammadarash Ramezani, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Maryam Shahnam, Behzad Zolfagari, Nizal Sarafzadegan

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2011

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Abstract

Objectives

This study evaluates the development of the stressful life event (SLE) questionnaire and tests the validity and reliability of it.

Method

In total, 3,951 adults aged over 18 years completed the SLE questionnaire. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to further validate the SLE questionnaire.

Results

Eleven domains, including home life, financial problems, social relation, personal conflict, job conflict, educational concerns, job security, loss and separation, sexual life, daily life, and health concerns were obtained by factor analysis. Correlation coefficient was moderately significant among domains of the SLE questionnaire and moderately between the SLE questionnaire and GHQ-12 score, as well. The results of the discriminate validity analysis were promising. In addition, standardized Cronbach’-α was 92%.

Conclusion

The resultant SLE questionnaire is, therefore, suggested to be potential for the stress measurement in both community and primary care setting.
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Metadata
Title
Development and validation of the stressful life event questionnaire
Authors
Hamidreza Roohafza
Mohammadarash Ramezani
Masoumeh Sadeghi
Maryam Shahnam
Behzad Zolfagari
Nizal Sarafzadegan
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0232-1

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