A Brief Quality of Life (QoL) Scale: Initial Psychometric Data for the Nationwide QoL Scale (NQLS)

Measurement-based care (MBC), including symptom and quality of life (QoL) measures, has garnered considerable interest in children’s behavioral health. Due to length, parameters, and redundancy, current QoL scales are not well-suited for MBC. In response to these limitations, we developed the Nationwide Quality of Life Scale (NQLS), a 7-item QoL scale (“How satisfied are you with your…friends, family, grades, school in general, health, life, anticipated future”). This study provides an initial evaluation of the NQLS’ psychometric properties. Participants were 828 treatment-receiving adolescents (average age of 14.8 and 76.4% white), along with their parents or caregivers, enrolled in a clinic specializing in youth with internalizing disorders. Participants were asked to complete several symptom severity measures (e.g., Patient Health Questionniare-8) including the NQLS. Analyses were performed to help determine the NQLS’ factor structure, reliability, convergent validity, and sensitivity to change. An exploratory factor analysis uncovered a two-factor solution wherein one factor functions as a global measure and the second factor focuses on school. Cronbach’s alpha analysis indicated reliability. Correlations between the NQLS and symptom severity measures were largely significant, establishing convergent validity. Finally, pre-treatment/post-treatment comparisons suggest the NQLS is somewhat sensitive to change. Results provide initial psychometric support for the NQLS.