The psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF in Japanese couples

Abstract

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the WHOQOL-BREF among 10,693 community-based married Japanese men and women (4376 couples) who were either expecting or raising a child. Analyses of item-response distributions, internal consistency, criterion validity, and discriminant validity indicated that the scale had acceptable reliability and performed well in preliminary tests of validity. Furthermore, dyadic confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the theoretical factor structure was valid and similar across partners, suggesting that men and women define and value quality of life in a similar way.

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life assessment in Singapore

“…The WHOQOL-BREF showed high internal consistency, and the fit of the hypothesized four domains of QOL was acceptable. In addition, the pattern of weak and strong standardized regression coefficients was consistent with previous research [13,20,21]. Weak standardized regression coefficients were found in reversed items (i.e., pain, medication, and negative feelings), while some domains seemed to make more important contributions to QOL (e.g., activities, work, self-esteem, spirituality) than others.…”

“…The data fit the hypothesized four-domain model after four error covariances were added to the model, χ 2 (244) = 3962.404, p < .001, SRMR = .044, RMSEA = .067, CFI = .902. These error covariances had been identified in previous research [12,13,[19][20][21][22][23]. Standardized regression coefficients were significant, p < .001, (Fig.…”

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated version in Portuguese-speaking adults from three different countries

“…Bref is commonly reported in the literature, 7,9,10,13,16,18,34 because this instrument is short and recommended by the WHO. 13 The CFA showed that the original model of the WHOQOL-Bref did not show good fit to the study samples, and some modifications were performed.…”

“…In another study, Najafi et al 17 highlighted that the content of item 8 was not clear. The WHOQOL Group, 13 Fu et al, 8 and Yoshitaki et al 16 also performed some fits in the WHOQOL-Bref, such as correlation between items 3 and 4 errors. Those authors reported that items 3 and 4 neither have adequate convergent validity nor strong enough factorial weights.…”

“…13 Furthermore, it is important to highlight that the WHOQOL Group recommends including both patients and non-patients as participants in studies using the WHOQOL. 3 The psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-Bref have thus far been investigated in patients [14][15][16] and non-patients 8,[17][18][19] in almost 40 countries. Some of these studies compared different cultures (transnational studies) and showed different ways of operationalizing the quality of life construct.…”