Instrumento psicométrico para avaliação de qualidade de vida em adultos : escala de qualidade de vida (EQV)

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2004

RESUMO

Over the last decades the concept of quality of life has emerged as an important factor in health-related studies. In order to improve and compare knowledge regarding the populations state of health and to delineate intervention programs, a range of instruments have been designed for the evaluation of well-being and quality of life. Most of these questionnaires however are not applicable to multi-cultural environments. Brazil also has few indicators regarding the prevalence and inter-relationships of behavioural factors in terms of health risks, indicating the need for improvements in the measurement of the quality of life of the Brazilian population. The overarching objective of this study is thus to design a psychometric scale to be applied in the evaluation of the quality of life of adults. In order to construct this scale, the quantitative research on Quality of Life (EQV) looked at the following three areas: a) phsychological; b) socio-economic-cultural, and c) physical. Initially a 5 point scale was drawn up containing 68 items which were applied to a study group made up of 675 adult individuals, of which 63% were female and 68.8% single, the study group having an average of 26.5 years of age (DP = 6.68), with an average schooling equivalent or above unfinished high school, and resident in the Federal District. Questionnaires containing duplicated or non-responsive answers were discarded (n = 124) resulting in a final study group size of 551 respondees. Based on the results of the statistical analysis the model was then revised arriving at a new questionnaire with 23 items. In this final version, the religious factor (Factor 3) was excluded due to low internal consistancy (0.71). Questions with regard to how the instrument is applied still justify complementary studies, especially due to the multi-dimensional structure of this questionnaire and the subjectivity of the theme. However, even with the limitations encountered and based on the methodology used to develop the questionnaire and the careful statistical analysis (compatible with present recommendations for the building of psychometric questionnaires) the EQV represents an important step in the study of quality of life. In conclusion, this study initiates a process toward the validation of a totally Brazilian psychometric scale model, that is, improved specification and understanding of peoples daily lives, helping in the maintenance and inprovement of that vital state Health.

ASSUNTO(S)

psychometric instruments qualidade de vida bem-estar quality of life instrumentos psicométricos educacao fisica eduação física; pesquisa quantitativa; psicometria; estatística well-being

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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