A Tool for Assessing the Quality of Life of Adolescents in Youth Care: Psychometric Properties of the QOLYSS.

Quality of life (QOL) has gained increased interest as a critical pathway to better understanding the lives and circumstances of children and adolescents in both the general population and among specific populations. Yet, QOL assessment among youngsters in youth care services remains a highly under-researched topic. This study examines the suitability and psychometric properties of a new QOL self-report scale for adolescents between 12 and 18 years old in youth care: the Quality of Life in Youth Services Scale (QOLYSS). The provisional version of the QOLYSS was pre-tested in a sample of 28 adolescents in youth care to examine its applicability and feasibility. Next, a comprehensive evaluation of the psychometric properties of the field-test version was conducted in a sample of 271 adolescents in youth care in Flanders, Belgium (M = 15.43, SD = 1.73). Classical item and factor analyses were carried out per subscale, (test-retest) reliability and item-discriminant validity of the subscales were examined, convergent validity was explored, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the goodness-of-fit of different measurement models. Reliability measures of the scale are satisfactory, results are indicative of convergent validity, and confirmatory factor analysis provides evidence for the eight correlated factors model. Future lines of research concerning the ongoing development and application of the QOLYSS are discussed.

La calidad de vida (CV) ha despertado un mayor interés como un modo esencial de comprender mejor la vida y circunstancias de niños y adolescentes tanto en población general como específica. No obstante, la evaluación de la CV de los jóvenes en servicios de atención juvenil sigue siendo un tema poco investigado. El presente studio analiza la adecuación y las propiedades psicométricas de una nueva escala de autoinforme de la CV para adolescentes entre los 12 y 18 años de edad en servicios para jóvenes: la Escala de Calidad de Vida en los Servicios Juveniles (QOLYSS, según sus siglas en inglés). Se realizó una prueba piloto con la versión provisional de la QOLYSS con una muestra de 28 adolescentes en servicios de atención a jóvenes para ver en qué medida era aplicable y factible. Luego se llevó a cabo una evaluación general de las propiedades psicométricas de la versión de campo de la prueba con una muestra de 271 adolescentes en servicios de atención a jóvenes en Flandes, Bélgica (M = 15.43, SD = 1.73). Se llevó a cabo un análisis clásico de ítems y análisis factoriales por subescalas, se examinó la fiabilidad (test-retest) y la validez discriminante de los ítems por subescalas, se exploró la validez convergente y se utilizó análisis factorial confirmatorio para analizar el ajuste de diferentes modelos de medida. Las medidas de fiabilidad de la escala son satisfactorias y los resultados son indicativos de validez convergente, a la vez que el análisis factorial confirmatorio muestra un modelo de ocho factores correlacionados. Se discute sobre las futuras líneas de investigación en relación con el desarrollo actual y aplicación de la QOLYSS.

A Tool for Assessing the Quality of Life of Adolescents in Youth Care: Psychometric Properties of the QOLYSS / Una herramienta de evaluación de la calidad de vida de los adolescentes que reciben asistencia juvenil: propiedades psicométricas de la escala QOLYSS

Quality of life (QOL) has gained increased interest as a critical pathway to better understanding the lives and circumstances of children and adolescents in both the general population and among specific populations. Yet, QOL assessment among youngsters in youth care services remains a highly under-researched topic. This study examines the suitability and psychometric properties of a new QOL self-report scale for adolescents between 12 and 18 years old in youth care: the Quality of Life in Youth Services Scale (QOLYSS). The provisional version of the QOLYSS was pre-tested in a sample of 28 adolescents in youth care to examine its applicability and feasibility. Next, a comprehensive evaluation of the psychometric properties of the field-test version was conducted in a sample of 271 adolescents in youth care in Flanders, Belgium (M = 15.43, SD = 1.73). Classical item and factor analyses were carried out per subscale, (test-retest) reliability and item-discriminant validity of the subscales were examined, convergent validity was explored, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the goodness-of-fit of different measurement models. Reliability measures of the scale are satisfactory, results are indicative of convergent validity, and confirmatory factor analysis provides evidence for the eight correlated factors model. Future lines of research concerning the ongoing development and application of the QOLYSS are discussed. (AU)

La calidad de vida (CV) ha despertado un mayor interés como un modo esencial de comprender mejor la vida y circunstancias de niños y adolescentes tanto en población general como específica. No obstante, la evaluación de la CV de los jóvenes en servicios de atención juvenil sigue siendo un tema poco investigado. El presente studio analiza la adecuación y las propiedades psicométricas de una nueva escala de autoinforme de la CV para adolescentes entre los 12 y 18 años de edad en servicios para jóvenes: la Escala de Calidad de Vida en los Servicios Juveniles (QOLYSS, según sus siglas en inglés). Se realizó una prueba piloto con la versión provisional de la QOLYSS con una muestra de 28 adolescentes en servicios de atención a jóvenes para ver en qué medida era aplicable y factible. Luego se llevó a cabo una evaluación general de las propiedades psicométricas de la versión de campo de la prueba con una muestra de 271 adolescentes en servicios de atención a jóvenes en Flandes, Bélgica (M = 15.43, SD = 1.73). Se llevó a cabo un análisis clásico de ítems y análisis factoriales por subescalas, se examinó la fiabilidad (test-retest) y la validez discriminante de los ítems por subescalas, se exploró la validez convergente y se utilizó análisis factorial confirmatorio para analizar el ajuste de diferentes modelos de medida. Las medidas de fiabilidad de la escala son satisfactorias y los resultados son indicativos de validez convergente, a la vez que el análisis factorial confirmatorio muestra un modelo de ocho factores correlacionados. Se discute sobre las futuras líneas de investigación en relación con el desarrollo actual y aplicación de la QOLYSS. (AU)

Quality of Life and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities: Consensus Indicators for Assessment.

BACKGROUND: The quality of life construct provides an ideal conceptual framework for translating such abstract concepts as self-determination, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Through consultation with expert raters, we sought to develop and validate a bank of indicators and items, based on the quality of life conceptual framework, to be used as a means of evaluating and implementing the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). METHOD: Thirty-two experts in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities participated, rating the suitability, importance, and clarity of a bank of 296 items, as well as the relevance of controlling for 70 sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: After qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, the final selection comprised 60 sociodemographic variables and 153 items that scored highly on all criteria and produced an excellent level of agreement between the experts. CONCLUSIONS: This bank of items and set of sociodemographic variables constitute the pilot version of a CRPD assessment and monitoring instrument with sufficient evidence of content validity, which may be useful in developing evidence-based practices and in detecting rights violations.

Quality of Life and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities: Consensus Indicators for Assessment / Calidad de Vida y la Convención Internacional Sobre los Derechos delas Personas con Discapacidad: Indicadores Consensuados Para laEvaluación

Background: The quality of life construct provides an ideal conceptualframework for translating such abstract concepts as self-determination,equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Through consultation with expertraters, we sought to develop and validate a bank of indicators and items,based on the quality of life conceptual framework, to be used as a means ofevaluating and implementing the Articles of the Convention on the Rightsof Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Method: Thirty-two experts in thefield of intellectual and developmental disabilities participated, ratingthe suitability, importance, and clarity of a bank of 296 items, as well asthe relevance of controlling for 70 sociodemographic variables. Results:After qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, the final selectioncomprised 60 sociodemographic variables and 153 items that scored highlyon all criteria and produced an excellent level of agreement between theexperts. Conclusions: This bank of items and set of sociodemographicvariables constitute the pilot version of a CRPD assessment and monitoringinstrument with sufficient evidence of content validity, which may be usefulin developing evidence-based practices and in detecting rights violations.

Antecedentes: el constructo de calidad de vida proporcionaun marco conceptual ideal para traducir conceptos abstractos comoautodeterminación, equidad, accesibilidad o inclusión. Mediante una consultaa expertos se pretende desarrollar y validar un banco de indicadores e ítemsbasados en el marco conceptual de la calidad de vida que pueda ser utilizadopara evaluar e implementar los derechos recogidos en la Convención sobre losDerechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (CDPD). Método: participaron32 expertos en el campo de las discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollocalificando la idoneidad, importancia y claridad de un banco de 296ítems, así como la relevancia de controlar 70 variables sociodemográficas.Resultados: tras el análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de los datos, se llegóa una solución consensuada de 60 variables sociodemográficas y 153 ítemsque puntuaron alto en todos los criterios y obtuvieron un excelente grado deacuerdo entre los expertos. Conclusiones: este banco de ítems y conjunto devariables sociodemográficas constituye la versión piloto de un instrumentode evaluación y seguimiento de la CDPD con suficientes evidencias devalidez basadas en el contenido, que puede ser útil para desarrollar prácticasbasadas en la evidencia y para detectar violaciones de derechos.

Substance use among individuals with intellectual disabilities living independently in Flanders.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, there has been increased scientific and clinical interest in substance use among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Despite raised interest and awareness in the topic, lack of supportive data on prevalence and risk factors highlights the need for ongoing research. The aims of this cross-sectional multicenter study were to examine the nature and extent of substance use in individuals with ID living independently, to investigate group differences in substance use and related problems, and to explore the role of substance-related knowledge and attitudes in substance use behaviors. METHOD: Participants were 123 individuals with mild to moderate ID receiving support from independent living services. Data were gathered by means of a structured interview strategy (i.e. the Substance Use and Misuse in Intellectual Disability-Questionnaire; SumID-Q). RESULTS: Findings revealed that rates of lifetime use of licit and illicit substances were higher than those found in earlier studies among individuals with ID and the general population. While cannabis use was the only illicit substance reported, current tobacco and alcohol use were shown to be highly prevalent (48%-45.5%). Rates for the latter were similar to earlier studies among community samples of individuals with ID. In contrast to our hypotheses, few group differences in substance use behaviors were observed. Male gender was associated with age of onset of alcohol and tobacco use and tobacco use-related problems, while younger age was found to be associated with lifetime use of cannabis. No evidence was found regarding the role of knowledge; however, smokers and alcohol users rated tobacco and alcohol use more positively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that individuals with ID living independently use a wide range of licit and illicit substances and present divergent levels and patterns of substance use. Notwithstanding the role of personal choice in substance use, more research is needed to better understand the nature and extent of substance use and related problems, as well as the role of substance-related knowledge and attitudes in individuals with ID.