Abstract
Assessing quality of life (QOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults is important. Yet, limited research is available on the stability of these constructs and the psychometric properties of QOL [e.g., Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)] and HRQOL [e.g., Short-Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12)] measures in this population. Such knowledge is important for designing and interpreting interventions. We examined stability of QOL (SWLS) and HRQOL (SF-12) and their test–retest reliability, measurement error, and interpretability over 1 year in older Black and White women (n = 230). Stability and reliability were ascertained through paired sample t tests and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Standard error of measurement and coefficient of variation assessed measurement error. Smallest detectable change estimated score interpretability. QOL and HRQOL remained stable; ICC values indicated moderate reliability for the SWLS and SF-12 (SWLS = 0.73, SF-12 Physical Composite Summary = 0.69, SF-12 Mental Composite Summary = 0.58). Measurement error and interpretability estimates were similar for both the SWLS and SF-12. Interpretability estimates indicated a change in score of around 33 % may represent an important change. We provide novel data for selecting and interpreting QOL and HRQOL measures contributing to a better understanding of intervention efficacy.
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Abbreviations
- QOL:
-
Quality of life
- HRQOL:
-
Health-related quality of life
- SWLS:
-
Satisfaction with Life Scale
- SF-12:
-
Short-Form 12 Health Survey
- PCS:
-
Physical Composite Summary
- MCS:
-
Mental Composite Summary
- ICC:
-
Intraclass correlation coefficient
- SEM:
-
Standard error of measurement
- CV:
-
Coefficient of variation
- SDC:
-
Smallest detectable change
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG020118). The authors wish to thank all participants in this research and all staff and students involved in data collection and analysis.
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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Learmonth, Y.C., Alwick, E.A., McAuley, E. et al. Quality of Life and Health-Related Quality of Life over 1 Year in Older Women: Monitoring Stability and Reliability of Measurement. Soc Indic Res 123, 267–279 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0729-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0729-0