Systematic Review of Self-Reported Multidimensional Instruments Used to Measure Quality of Life and Subjective Well-Being of Children and Adolescents

Abstract There is a growing interest in measuring quality of life (QoL) and subjective well-being (SWB) to assess societal progress and well-being. Despite numerous studies exploring the QoL and SWB of adult populations, there has been a limited number of studies focusing on young people. Measuring QoL and SWB of children and adolescents provides valuable insights into shaping public policies aimed at promoting their well-being. This study aims to conduct systematic reviews of self-reported multidimensional measures assessing the QoL and SWB of children and adolescents along with their psychometric properties. The first stage identified the measures of interest, followed by the second stage focused on finding validation studies for the identified measures. Both systematic reviews followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight databases were searched to retrieve the studies. During the first stage, a total of 29 measures used to assess the QoL and SWB of children and adolescents were identified. Subsequently, 68 validation studies that met the eligibility criteria were identified during the second stage. This study reports the key characteristics of each instrument and the policy-relevant life domains that are commonly captured by these instruments. Their psychometric properties are discussed. The findings of the study will facilitate policymakers and researchers to make a choice of validated measure(s) for their specific application to improve the well-being of children and adolescents. Besides, they will assist in developing new paediatric QoL or SWB measures when appropriate measures are not available.