Developing an item bank to measure economic quality of life for individuals with disabilities

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J71247

Journal:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2015 , 96, 4, 604-614

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study developed and evaluated the psychometric properties of an item set measuring economic quality of life (QOL) for use by individuals with disabilities. A mixed-methods approach included a literature review; semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or stroke; cognitive interviews and field testing; and rating scale analysis to evaluate initial psychometric properties. Sixty-four individuals with disabilities completed individual interviews, 172 participated in focus groups, and 15 completed cognitive interviews. From these activities, an item pool of 37 items was developed and administered to a sample of 305 individuals who sustained SCI, TBI, or stroke. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices for the 37 items. However, 3 items demonstrated local item dependence. Dropping 9 items improved fit and obviated local dependence. Rasch analysis of the remaining 28 items yielded a person reliability of .92, suggesting that these items discriminate about 4 economic QOL levels. Preliminary confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis results support the psychometric properties of this new patient-reported measure. It fills a gap in health-related QOL measurement by describing the economic barriers and facilitators of community participation.

Author(s):

Tulsky, David S., Kisala, Pamela A., Lain, Jin-Shei, Carlozzi, Noelle, Hammel, Joy, Heinemann, Allen W.