U. Ravens-Sieberer, P. Auquier, M. Erhart, A. Gosch, L. Rajmil, J. Bruil, M. Power, W. Duer, B. Cloetta, L. Czemy, J. Mazur, A. Czimbalmos, Y. Tountas, C. Hagquist, J. Kilroe, the European KIDSCREEN Group

The KIDSCREEN-27 quality of life measure for children and adolescents: psychometric results from a crosscultural survey in 13 European countries

To assess the construct and criterion validity of the KIDSCREEN-27 health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire, a shorter version of the KIDSCREEN-52. The five-dimensional DSCREEN-27 was tested in a sample of 22 827. For criterion validity the correlation with and the percentage explained variance of the scores of the KIDSCREEN-52 instrument were examined. Construct validity was assessed by testing a priori expected associations with other generic HRQoL measures (YQOL-S, PedsQL, CHIP), indicators of physical and mental health, and socioeconomic status.

Age and gender differences were investigated. Correlation with corresponding scales of the KIDSCREEN-52 ranged from r=0,63 to r=0,96, and r2 ranged from 0,39 to 0,92. Correlations between other HRQoL questionnaires and KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions were moderate to high for those assessing similar constructs (r = 0,36 to 0,63). Statistically significant and sizeable differences between physically and mentally healthy and ill children were found in all KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions together with strong associations with psychosomatic complaints (r =-0,52).

Most of the KIDSCREEN-27 dimensions showed a gradient according to socio-economic status, age and gender. The KIDSCREEN-27 seems to be a valid measure of HRQoL in children and adolescents. Further research is needed to assess longitudinal validity and sensitivity to change.