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Validating, Improving Reliability, and Estimating Correlation of the Four Subscales in the WHOQOL-BREF using Multidimensional Rasch Analysis

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Abstract

Objective: This study examined the construct validity, and improved the test reliability and the estimation accuracy for the correlation between domains of the WHOQOL-BREF using multidimensional Rasch analysis. Method: A total of 13,083 adults were administered the 28-item WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version, which consists of 4 subscales (domains). The multidimensional form of the partial credit model was used to examine the fit of the 4 subscales. For comparison, each subscale individually was also fitted to the unidimensional partial credit model. Standard item fit statistics and analysis of differential item functioning (DIF) were used to check model-data fit. Results: After excluding 2 overall items and deleting 7 DIF items, the remaining items of each subscale in the WHOQOL-BREF constituted a single construct. The test reliabilities and correlations between domains obtained from the multidimensional approach, (0.82–0.86) and (0.79–0.89), respectively, were much higher than those obtained from the unidimensional approach, (0.67–0.75) and (0.53–0.65), respectively. Conclusion: The 19-item WHOQOL-BREF measures more succinct latent traits than the original design. The multidimensional approach yields not only more accurate estimates for the correlation between domains but also substantially higher reliabilities, than the standard unidimensional approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi, 621, Taiwan

    Wen-Chung Wang

  2. Department of Psychology, Naional Taiwan University, Taiwan

    Grace Yao

  3. Department of Health, Population and Health Research Center, Bureau of Health Promotion, Taiwan

    Yih-Jian Tsai

  4. Institute of Occupationsl Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

    Jung-Der Wang

  5. School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

    Ching-Lin Hsieh

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  1. Wen-Chung Wang
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  2. Grace Yao
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  3. Yih-Jian Tsai
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  4. Jung-Der Wang
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  5. Ching-Lin Hsieh
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Correspondence to Wen-Chung Wang.

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Wang, WC., Yao, G., Tsai, YJ. et al. Validating, Improving Reliability, and Estimating Correlation of the Four Subscales in the WHOQOL-BREF using Multidimensional Rasch Analysis. Qual Life Res 15, 607–620 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-4365-7

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