Criterion Validity and Reliability of SF-12 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2) in a Student Population during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective. The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, led to strict domestic quarantine, social isolation policies, and consequently significant psycho-emotional and lifestyle changes. The individual and societal fear and anxiety cause significant stress affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL). There is evidence of the psychological and mental health effects of the current pandemic on students, who are known to be a vulnerable population. A decrease in physical activity was reported among students, and it is known to contribute to stress levels, which is strongly associated with HRQOL. This study is aimed at evaluating the validity and reliability of SF-12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) in the assessment of self-perceived quality of life of Italian students following lifestyle changes due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with university students attending the faculty of Medicine and Surgery or Health Professions. The Physical Component Summary (PCS12) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS12) of SF-12v2 were compared to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient. Concurrent validity was evaluated comparing SF-12v2 values to PSS scores, and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) was calculated. Cross-cultural validity was investigated through several analyses for correlations between SF-12v2 scores and the gender of participants, University of Italy, body mass index (BMI), and time spent sitting and exercising. Results. The SF-12v2 questionnaire was administered to 583 medical and health professionals’ students in July 2020. Cronbach’s Alpha showed acceptable reliability for PCS12 and MCS12. In line with expectations, PCS12 scores differed by BMI groups, while the MCS12 was associated with PSS score and showed differences between genders, BMI groups, time spent sitting, and time spent exercising. Conclusion. The Italian version of SF-12v2 is a valid and reliable instrument to assess health-related quality of life among medical and health professionals’ students.

Sleep Quality and Its Associations with Physical and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, high levels of perceived stress and low mental health-related quality of life were observed in the examined sample. The PSS mean score is consistent with that reported for a large general population Italian sample during the first COVID-19 lockdown [52] and significantly higher than those found in samples of university students in the same period [53,54], whereas the mean standard score observed for the SF-12 index MCS is inferior in comparison with that reported in a similar sample during the COVID-19 pandemic [55] and almost two standard deviations lower than the mean score for the Italian normative population [47]. Since restrictive measures with several periods of lockdown have been adopted in Italy between 2020 and 2021, such alarming results are likely to be attributable at least in part to the well-documented impact of the pandemic and the related policies on mental health [56], with seemingly worse outcomes reported for young people [57,58].…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity and Lifestyles in Post-Confinement Sports Science Undergraduates

“…Other studies revealed that, regardless of the level of physical activity, COVID-19 and quarantine significantly decreased the quality of life of both male and female students [ 50 ]. Students who did not engage in physical activity during confinement reported a lower level of mental health [ 51 ]. Furthermore, tobacco and cannabis use was found to be associated with excessive alcohol consumption among students [ 52 ].…”

The Effectiveness of Equine Therapy Intervention on Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life, Mood, Balance and Gait in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease

“…This outcome research study was conducted by healthcare professionals at Sapienza University of Rome and ROMA—Rehabilitation & Outcome Measures Assessment Association. The research group has carried out many outcome measures in Italy [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”