A review of the measurement properties of the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) to determine its suitability for use in an alcohol‐dependent population

Accessible summary The findings from this study reveal that the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring quality of life in a variety of populations. This facilitates the decision making of nurses and other health professionals which in turn aids them to utilize the SF‐36 with added confidence and assurance. The main finding was that the SF‐36 would probably be a reliable and valid screening tool in an alcohol‐dependent population. This finding is important to those practitioners using or about to embark to use the SF‐36 in this population in that it provides further evidence to enhance their practical and research experience. Abstract A psychometric evaluation of the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) was undertaken in contemporary studies to assess its suitability for use in an alcohol‐dependent population. Three criteria were used to try and determine this: factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability. Factor analysis revealed that it is mainly consistent with a bidimensional model, internal consistency reliability showed that it consistently provided scores above the recommended threshold and test–retest reliability of the SF‐36 highlights that it too provided higher than suggested scores. A conclusion was reached recommending the SF‐36 as a reliable screening tool in an alcohol‐dependent population, but this is given in caution as no studies were found analysing the instrument in this population.