Research On Individualized Measures Of Quality Of Life For The Youth

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the individual measurement of quality of life for youth. The results using two individualized measures respectively were reported and compared, and implications for further research were presented.Methods1、Sample:Data for the study came from four multicenter cross-sectional studies conducted by Seattle Quality of Life Group, University of Washington, from2003to2008. Adolescents of11-18years of age with facial differences, overweight or obesity, deaf and hard of hearing and Tourette syndrome were included in this study.2、Survey instruments and contents:The participants completed the questionnaires including personal demographic questions, Youth Quality of life Instrument-Research Version (YQOL-R) and Individualized Quality of life Measures (IQOL).3. Statistical analysis:Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS20.0for Windows. Statistical methods used included general statistical description (such as mean and standard deviation), t-test, correlation analysis, Pearson chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance and multivariable linear regression analysis.Results1、Descriptive analysis of the two individualized measures:The areas adolescents identified as most important showed high difference compared with the areas adolescents wanted most to change.2、Comparison between IQOL importance scores and IQOL change scores:The t test showed that IQOL importance scores were significantly different with IQOL change scores.3、Comparison of known group validity among demographic variables between IQOL importance and IQOL change:Girls reported significantly lower IQOL change scores than boys, and adolescents of15-18years of age reported significantly lower IQOL change scores than adolescents of11-14years of age, which is consistent with previous studies. However, differences in IQOL importance scores among groups between genders and age groups were not significant.4. Comparison of known group validity among disease groups between IQOL importance and IQOL change:Adolescents with overweight or obesity reported significantly lower subscale scores than adolescents with facial difference in relationships domain and environment domain. Adolescents with overweight or obesity reported significantly lower IQOL importance scores than adolescents with facial difference. Adolescents with overweight or obesity reported significantly lower IQOL change scores than adolescents with facial difference and adolescents with deaf and hard of hearing.5、Correlations between IQOL scores and YQOL-R scores:The IQOL importance scores or IQOL change scores had strong correlations with YQOL-R total and subscale scores.6、 Multivariable linear regression model of IQOL scores:Higher self domain scores, higher relationships domain scores, higher environment domain and higher general QOL domain scores were associated with a higher IQOL importance score. Boys, adolescents with facial difference, adolescents with deaf and hard of hearing (overweight or obese adolescents as reference), higher self domain scores, higher relationships domain scores, higher environment domain and higher general QOL domain scores were associated with a higher IQOL change score.Conclusion1. Emphasis of Individualized measures (IQOL importance�'�IQOL change) differs from standardized measures (YQOL-R).2. IQOL importance differs from IQOL change IQOL change shows better known group validity.3. Individualized measures of quality of life for youth provides promising evidence for what teenagers really care.