Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ family impact module

Purpose: This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module in parents of children/adolescents with chronic health conditions.

Design and methods: The European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module was administered to 237 parents of children/adolescents with chronic disease and/or chronic disorder. Participants were recruited from the day hospital and/or outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal, the majority being mothers (87.3%) aged between 31 and 50 years (86.9%). The questionnaire was administered online through the REDCap platform. The hierarchical factor model of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module proposed by Varni and colleagues was tested.

Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated good model fit, with the following indices (χ² /gL = 2.19; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07 immune cell [IC] 90% = 0.06-0.07). Internal consistency values were high (parent quality of life subtotal, α = .96; family functioning subtotal, α = .92; total score, α = .96).

Practice implications: The European Portuguese version of the PedsQL™ FIM is a reliable and valid measurement tool for nurses to assess the impact of the child/adolescent chronic conditions on family's quality of life and to develop interventions to improve their well-being.