Factor Structure of the 15-Item PedsQL™ 4.0 Short Form in a Cohort With Down Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) is a well-known instrument measuring health-related quality of life which has been studied in healthy individuals and in disease-specific cohorts. The PedsQL Short Form consists of 15 total items, which are broken down into two subscales: the Physical Health Summary and the Psychosocial Health Summary. Although the properties of the PedsQL have been reported in a variety of populations, languages, and subgroups, the Short Form has not been previously validated in a cohort with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS The current study assessed the internal consistency and factor structure of the PedsQL™ 4.0 SF15 by parent-proxy from caregivers of individuals with DS. Participants included 241 caregivers of children, adolescents, and young adults with DS. Caregivers completed the parent-proxy PedsQL™ 4.0 SF15 questions regarding the individual’s physical, mental, social, and school / work functioning. RESULTS We found the PedsQL™ 4.0 SF15 to have very good internal consistency of the measure (Cronbach’s coefficient α = 0.81) and across domains (domain Cronbach’s coefficient α from 0.71 to 0.88). Factor analysis confirmed a 4-factor model as expected. CONCLUSIONS The PedsQL is reliable for continued use in measuring health-related quality of life in children, adolescents, and young adults with DS.