Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the general measurement properties of the Serbian version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™) self-report versions for children and adolescents (8-18 years).
Methods: The PedsQL™ was completed by 238 children and adolescents. The version was descriptively analyzed first. Afterward, internal consistency and construct and convergent validity were analyzed using the classic test theory psychometrical procedures.
Results: The PedsQL™ scale score means ranged 70.65-88.34, with the total score was 80.74. Scale internal consistency reliability determined by Cronbach's coefficient was above 0.7 for all except the School, 0.65, and Emotional Functioning Scale, 0.69. The statistics assessing the adequacy of the model in confirmatory factor analysis revealed poor model fit for the current structure of the PedsQL™. Finally, the PedsQL™ total and psychosocial health showed convincing negative correlations with emotional and conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems.
Conclusions: The Serbian PedsQL™ scales have appropriate internal consistency reliability, sufficient for group evaluations, and good convergent validity against psychological constructs. However, there are problems regarding its current construct validity (factorial validity).