The reliability and construct validity of American college students’ responses to the WHOQOL-BREF.

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jeffrey John Milroy, Associate Director (Creator)
Muhsin Michael Orsini, AP Assistant Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Program (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100) instrument was developed to assess quality of life from a multi-dimensional perspective. A shorter 26-item version of the instrument was created called the WHOQOL-BREF, which is the focus of this study. Based on previous research, it is unclear if the WHOQOL-BREF instrument is appropriate for use with English-speaking, American college populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of English-speaking, American College Students’ responses to WHOQOL-BREF. One thousand seven hundred and seventy- three American college students from a southeastern university completed the WHOQOL-BREF in a confidential online format. Factor analyses were conducted and model fit was assessed using multiple fit indices. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the prescribed four-factor model did not provide a good fit for the current data. An Exploratory Factor Analysis indicated a five-factor model was the best fit. However, the results of goodness-of-fit indices indicated the five-factor model was also a poor fit. This research showed inadequate construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Further validation studies of the instrument with English-speaking, American college students are recommended.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
QOL, Evaluation Instruments, School health, WHOQOL-BREF, health education

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