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ABSTRACT: In this study we investigated the links between caregiver burden, family environment, and quality of life in 97 pairs of children
with asthma and the one who was determined to be the primary family caregiver. Using structural equation modeling, within-participant
analyses showed that family environment was positively linked to quality of life for both children and parents. Across-participant
analyses demonstrated that parents’ positive perceptions of family environment were associated with parents’ and children’s
improved quality of life. In addition, parents’ perceptions of family environment mediated the link between caregiver burden
and parents’ and children’s quality of life. Implications for intervention with families are discussed in light of this study’s
important results.
KeywordsQuality of life–Asthma–Family environment–Caregiver burden
Contemporary Family Therapy 04/2012; 33(2):179-196.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the properties of a generic instrument for pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessment – DISABKIDS-37 – in a sample of Portuguese children and adolescents with chronic health conditions. Participants were 349 children/adolescents with asthma or epilepsy and their parents/caregivers, who reported on children/adolescents' HRQL, along with generic quality of life and psychological adjustment measures in self- and proxy-report formats. Using classical statistic validation procedures, reliability, scale inter-correlations, and convergent, divergent, and discriminant validities were analyzed. Results were reported using age group stratifications, attesting the developmental appropriateness of DISABKIDS-37 questionnaire to assess HRQL in children, adolescents, and mixed samples.
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 01/2012;
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Journal of Child and Family Studies 01/2012; · 1.12 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: At the beginning of the 1990s, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a project in order to create a cross-cultural instrument of quality of life assessment: the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL).
This paper describes the development of the European Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-100, according to the methodology recommended by the WHO.
Special attention is given to the qualitative pilot study, which led to the development of the Portuguese Facet [Political P], and to the empirical pilot study and the psychometric studies, based on the application of the Portuguese version of the instrument to a sample of 315 subjects from the general population and 289 patients. The assessment protocol also included the Beck Depression Inventory and the Brief Symptom Inventory.
The Portuguese version of WHOQOL-100 showed acceptable internal consistency (alpha range 0.84-0.94) and test-retest reliability in all domains (r range 0.67-0.86). Discriminant validity was significant for all domains, except in Spirituality. Convergent validity with the Beck Depression Inventory and the Brief Symptom Inventory was satisfactory for most domains.
The WHOQOL showed good psychometric characteristics, suggesting that the Portuguese version of WHOQOL is valid and reliable in the assessment of quality of life in Portugal.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 06/2009; 16(2):116-24. · 2.63 Impact Factor
