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The Gap Concept as a Quality of Life Measure: Validation Study of the Child Quality of Life Systemic Inventory

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Abstract

The objective was to determine the interest and psychometric properties of a new QOL self-assessment questionnaire suitable for children 8–12 years old measuring alpha, beta and gamma changes: the “Inventaire Systémique de Qualité de vie pour Enfants” (ISQV-E©). This was a cross-sectional validation study. 288 children have completed the ISQV-E. Other tools were used: The “Autoquestionnaire de Qualité de Vie Enfants Imagé” (AUQUEI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). The internal consistency of the four scores of the ISQV-E (state, goal, rank and gap) is satisfactory. All scores have their own specificity. The data show the convergent validity, sensitivity and applicability of the ISQV-E. On the other hand, no satisfactory factorial structure was found although a multidimensional theoretical perspective was applied. The feasibility of the ISQV-E seems clearly demonstrated and the value of this new tool seems evident in contexts of physical, psychological or social problems. The validation study was promising but certain points such as test–retest reliability remain to be studied.

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Abbreviations

QoL:

Quality of life

ISQV-E:

Inventaire Systémique de Qualité de Vie-Enfant

EHRQL:

Exeter health-related quality of life questionnaire

HAY:

How are you questionnaire

PedsQL:

Pediatric quality of life inventory

TACQOL TNO AZL:

Children’s quality of life

QLSI:

Quality of life systemic inventory

AUQUEI:

Autoquestionnaire de Qualité de Vie Enfants Imagé

STAIC:

State-trait anxiety inventory for children

CDI:

Children’s depression inventory

KidlQol:

Pediatric quality of life inventory generic core scales

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Liege, Liège, Belgium

    Anne-Marie Etienne

  2. University of Quebec to Montreal, Montreal, Canada

    Gilles Dupuis

  3. University of Paul Verlaine, Metz, France

    Elisabeth Spitz & Fabienne Lemetayer

  4. CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgium

    Pierre Missotten

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  1. Anne-Marie Etienne
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  2. Gilles Dupuis
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  4. Fabienne Lemetayer
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  5. Pierre Missotten
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Correspondence to Anne-Marie Etienne.

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Etienne, AM., Dupuis, G., Spitz, E. et al. The Gap Concept as a Quality of Life Measure: Validation Study of the Child Quality of Life Systemic Inventory. Soc Indic Res 100, 241–257 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9614-7

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