Adolescent quality of life, Part II: initial validation of a new instrument

The psychometric properties of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research Version (YQOL-R) perceptual module are presented. Self-reports were obtained from 236 youth aged 12–18 years with mobility disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or without self-reported chronic conditions. Item and factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized conceptual model derived from previous qualitative research. The scales of the YQOL-R showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0·77–0·96), reproducibility (ICCs=0·74–0·85), expected associations with other constructs, and ability to distinguish between known groups. The YQOL-R showed sufficient validity to encourage further use. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.