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Quality of Life Research
Published in: Quality of Life Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-01-2017 | Brief Communication

Dutch normative data and psychometric properties for the Distress Thermometer for Parents

Authors: Hedy A. van Oers, Sasja A. Schepers, Martha A. Grootenhuis, Lotte Haverman

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to provide Dutch normative data for the Distress Thermometer for Parents (DT-P) and to assess internal consistency and known-groups validity.

Methods

A sample of 1421 parents (60.7 % mothers), representative of the Dutch population, completed online sociodemographic questionnaire and the DT-P, which includes a thermometer (0 (no distress) to 10 (extreme distress), ≥4 clinically elevated distress) and everyday problems across six problem domains (practical, social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and parenting). Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach’s alphas. Known-groups validity was assessed by comparing parents of a child with a chronic condition (N = 287, 20.2 %) with parents of healthy children, using Mann–Whitney U tests and Chi-square tests.

Results

The DT-P showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas = .52–.89). Parents of a child with a chronic condition more often reported clinically elevated distress than parents of healthy children (53.0 versus 38.2 %, p < .001). Also, on all domains they reported more problems (p = .000–.022). Normative scores for mothers and fathers separately were provided.

Conclusion

The DT-P distinguishes well between parents of a child with and without a chronic condition. With the current norms available, distress can be evaluated in parents of a child with a chronic condition compared to parents of healthy children in pediatric clinical practice.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Dutch normative data and psychometric properties for the Distress Thermometer for Parents
Authors
Hedy A. van Oers
Sasja A. Schepers
Martha A. Grootenhuis
Lotte Haverman
Publication date
01-01-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Quality of Life Research / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1405-4

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