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The adaptation into Spanish of the Coddington Life Events Scales (CLES)

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Abstract

Aims

To obtain a conceptually and psychometrically equivalent Spanish version of the Coddington Life Events Scales (CLES) for children and adolescents and to test their psychometric properties.

Methods

Forward and backward translations were performed. Comprehension, acceptability, and alternative translations were tested in focus groups and semi-structured interviews. An expert panel and the copyright holders of the original version were actively involved. Test–retest reliability [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC)] was assessed by administering the questionnaire on two occasions 3 months apart to children aged 12–14 years (n = 30). Construct validity was assessed by comparing children’s responses with those of their parents (n = 19). The methods replicated those of the validation of the original version.

Results

Of the 53 CLES items translated, ten were found to be difficult to understand. Following back-translation, seven items were modified and a final version was obtained. Test–retest ICC reliability for total scores was 0.63. The ICC between children and parents was 0.42. Both results were very similar to those reported for the original version.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest that the Spanish version of the CLES is understandable and acceptable and that it is similar to the original in terms of validity and reliability. Although further validation is needed, it is recommended for use in research settings in Spain.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Montserrat Ferrer, Silvina Berra, Olatz Garin, Maite Solans, and Cristian Tebé for their participation as part of the Expert Panel, and Josué Almansa for his help with the data analysis. They also thank Paco Codina, Oriol Vall, Rosana Puyol, Isabel Serrate, and Rosa Garrigó for their help in recruiting the study participants. Funding: Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI042504 y PI042315) and DURSI-GENCAT Exp. 2005 SGR 00491.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIBER en Epidemiología ñy Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain

    E. Villalonga-Olives, J. M. Valderas, M. Herdman, L. Rajmil & J. Alonso

  2. Health Services Research Unit, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica (IMIM)—Hospital del Mar, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    E. Villalonga-Olives, J. M. Valderas, J. A. Palacio-Vieira, M. Herdman, L. Rajmil & J. Alonso

  3. National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    J. M. Valderas

  4. Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research, Barcelona, Spain

    J. A. Palacio-Vieira & L. Rajmil

  5. Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain

    J. Alonso

Authors
  1. E. Villalonga-Olives
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  2. J. M. Valderas
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  3. J. A. Palacio-Vieira
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  4. M. Herdman
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  5. L. Rajmil
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  6. J. Alonso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Alonso.

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Villalonga-Olives, E., Valderas, J.M., Palacio-Vieira, J.A. et al. The adaptation into Spanish of the Coddington Life Events Scales (CLES). Qual Life Res 17, 447–452 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-008-9320-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-008-9320-y

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