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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

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Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Cross-cultural validity of four quality of life scales in persons with spinal cord injury

Authors: Szilvia Geyh, Bernd AG Fellinghauer, Inge Kirchberger, Marcel WM Post

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Background

Quality of life (QoL) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) has been found to differ across countries. However, comparability of measurement results between countries depends on the cross-cultural validity of the applied instruments. The study examined the metric quality and cross-cultural validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LISAT-9), the Personal Well-Being Index (PWI) and the 5-item World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQoL-5) across six countries in a sample of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

A cross-sectional multi-centre study was conducted and the data of 243 out-patients with SCI from study centers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, South Africa, and the United States were analyzed using Rasch-based methods.

Results

The analyses showed high reliability for all 4 instruments (person reliability index .78-.92). Unidimensionality of measurement was supported for the WHOQoL-5 (Chi² = 16.43, df = 10, p = .088), partially supported for the PWI (Chi² = 15.62, df = 16, p = .480), but rejected for the LISAT-9 (Chi² = 50.60, df = 18, p = .000) and the SWLS (Chi² = 78.54, df = 10, p = .000) based on overall and item-wise Chi² tests, principal components analyses and independent t-tests. The response scales showed the expected ordering for the WHOQoL-5 and the PWI, but not for the other two instruments. Using differential item functioning (DIF) analyses potential cross-country bias was found in two items of the SWLS and the WHOQoL-5, three items of the LISAT-9 and four items of the PWI. However, applying Rasch-based statistical methods, especially subtest analyses, it was possible to identify optimal strategies to enhance the metric properties and the cross-country equivalence of the instruments post-hoc. Following the post-hoc procedures the WHOQOL-5 and the PWI worked in a consistent and expected way in all countries.

Conclusions

QoL assessment using the summary scores of the WHOQOL-5 and the PWI appeared cross-culturally valid in persons with SCI. In contrast, summary scores of the LISAT-9 and the SWLS have to be interpreted with caution. The findings of the current study can be especially helpful to select instruments for international research projects in SCI.

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Title: Cross-cultural validity of four quality of life scales in persons with spinal cord injury
Authors: Szilvia Geyh
Bernd AG Fellinghauer
Inge Kirchberger
Marcel WM Post
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-94

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Cross-cultural validity of four quality of life scales in persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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