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Reliability and validity of 12-item Short-Form health survey (SF-12) for the health status of Chinese community elderly population in Xujiahui district of Shanghai

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Abstract

Background

The 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) is the abridged practical version of SF-36.

Aims

This cross-sectional study was aimed to assess the reliability and validity of SF-12 for the health status of Chinese community elderly population.

Methods

The Chinese community elderly people in Xujiahui district of Shanghai were investigated. The internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and split-half reliability coefficients. Construct validity was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Spearman’s correlation coefficient (ρ) was used for the evaluation of criterion, convergent, and discriminant validity with Spearman’s ρ ≥ 0.4 as satisfactory. Comparisons of the SF-12 summary scores among populations that differed in demographics were performed for discriminant validity.

Results

Total 1343 individuals aged ≥60 and <85 years old (response rate: 91.3 %) were analyzed. The Cronbach’s α value (0.910) and the split-half reliability coefficient (0.812) reflected satisfactory internal consistency reliability of SF-12. EFA extracted a two-factor model (physical and mental health). About 60.7 % of the total variance was explained by the two factors. CFA showed that the two-factor solution provided a good fit to the data. Good convergent validity and discriminant validity of SF-12 were proved by the correction analyses (Spearman’s ρ > 0.4) and the comparisons of the SF-12 summary scores among populations (P < 0.05). SF-12 summary scores were significantly correlated with the SF-36 summary scores (Spearman’s ρ > 0.4, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, SF-12 had satisfactory reliability and validity in measuring health status of Chinese community elderly population in Xujiahui district of Shanghai.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank support provided through the funding by the Shanghai Ageing Development Foundation (13037). Thanks to Xujiahui community health service centers of medical personnel for their support and help.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by Zhongshan Hospital Research Ethics Committee.

Informed consent

Written consents were obtained from all the participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Practice, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China

    Juan Shou, Limin Ren, Haitang Wang, Fei Yan, Xiaoyun Cao, Shanzhu Zhu & Yao Liu

  2. Xu Jiahui Community Health Center, Shanghai, 200030, People’s Republic of China

    Hui Wang & Zhiliang Wang

Authors
  1. Juan Shou
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  2. Limin Ren
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  3. Haitang Wang
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  4. Fei Yan
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  5. Xiaoyun Cao
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  6. Hui Wang
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  7. Zhiliang Wang
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  8. Shanzhu Zhu
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  9. Yao Liu
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Shanzhu Zhu or Yao Liu.

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Juan Shou and Limin Ren should be regarded as co-first authors.

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Shou, J., Ren, L., Wang, H. et al. Reliability and validity of 12-item Short-Form health survey (SF-12) for the health status of Chinese community elderly population in Xujiahui district of Shanghai. Aging Clin Exp Res 28, 339–346 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-015-0401-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-015-0401-9

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