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Psychometric properties and Dutch norm data of the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Young Adults

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess internal consistency and construct validity (known-groups validity) and to provide Dutch norm data for the Dutch Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Young Adults ages 18–30 years (PedsQL fatigue_YA).

Methods

A Dutch sample of 649 young adults completed online a sociodemographic questionnaire and the PedsQL fatigue_YA including three subscales: general fatigue, sleep/rest fatigue and cognitive fatigue (0–100: Higher scores indicate less fatigue symptoms).

Results

The PedsQL fatigue_YA showed satisfactory to good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .70–.94), except for one scale (.68). The mean scale scores were 68.23 (SD 19.15) for ‘general fatigue,’ 67.04 (SD 15.54) for ‘sleep/rest fatigue’ and 74.62 (SD 19.02) for ‘cognitive fatigue.’ Men reported significantly higher scores on ‘general fatigue’ and ‘sleep/rest fatigue’ than women. The PedsQL fatigue_YA distinguished between healthy young adults and young adults with chronic health conditions, with higher scores on all scales in healthy young adults than in those with a chronic health condition.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate good psychometric properties of the PedsQL fatigue_YA in a sample of Dutch young adults. With the current norms available, it is possible to evaluate fatigue in the Netherlands from childhood to adulthood with the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.

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Abbreviations

HRQOL:

Health-Related Quality of Life

PedsQL:

Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory

PedsQL_YA:

Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory young adult Generic Core Scales

PedsQL Fatigue_YA:

Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for young adults

CoLQ:

Course of Life Questionnaire

TNS NIPO:

Taylor Nelson Sofres Netherlands Institute for Public Opinion

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all participating young adults in this study. We would also like to thank TNS NIPO and especially Anneloes Klaassen for assisting with the data collection. This study was supported by Pfizer BV Pharmaceuticals and Emma Children’s Hospital Aid Foundation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychosocial Department, Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, A3-241, Postbox 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Lotte Haverman, Perrine F. Limperg, Hedy A. van Oers, Heleen Maurice-Stam & Martha A. Grootenhuis

  2. Department of Pediatric Hematology Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Marion A. J. van Rossum

  3. Department of Rheumatology Reade, Location Jan van Breemen, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Marion A. J. van Rossum

Authors
  1. Lotte Haverman
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  2. Perrine F. Limperg
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  3. Hedy A. van Oers
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  4. Marion A. J. van Rossum
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  5. Heleen Maurice-Stam
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  6. Martha A. Grootenhuis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lotte Haverman.

Additional information

Lotte Haverman and Perrine F. Limperg have contributed equally to this study.

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Haverman, L., Limperg, P.F., van Oers, H.A. et al. Psychometric properties and Dutch norm data of the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Young Adults. Qual Life Res 23, 2841–2847 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0734-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0734-4

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