Description

The Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Questionnaire KIDSCREEN-27 & KIDSCREEN-52 is an assessment instrument designed to evaluate health-related quality of life in children and adolescents.

The KIDSCREEN approach considers quality of life as a multidimensional concept that extends beyond physical health alone. It includes broader aspects of young people’s everyday experiences and well-being, including their physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Through its questions, the instrument provides information about how children and adolescents perceive different aspects of their health and everyday lives. It can therefore contribute to a broader understanding of well-being during childhood and adolescence and facilitate the investigation of factors associated with differences in health-related quality of life.

Two versions are considered here: KIDSCREEN-27, consisting of 27 items, and the more extensive KIDSCREEN-52, consisting of 52 items. The availability of different versions allows researchers to select an instrument according to the objectives and practical requirements of their study.

Objective

The primary objective of the KIDSCREEN-27 & KIDSCREEN-52 is to assess and improve understanding of health-related quality of life among children and adolescents.

The instrument provides data that can be used to investigate how young people perceive their physical, psychological, and social well-being and to examine factors potentially associated with better or poorer quality of life.

The resulting information may also contribute to the development of policies, programs, and interventions aimed at promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Versions of KIDSCREEN

The KIDSCREEN-52 is the more extensive version of the questionnaire and contains 52 items, allowing for a more detailed assessment of different aspects of health-related quality of life.

The KIDSCREEN-27 is a shorter 27-item version that can be used when a more concise assessment is required while maintaining a multidimensional approach to quality of life.

The choice between the two versions should be guided by the objectives of the research, the characteristics of the study population, and the desired level of detail.

Data Analysis and Use

Data obtained through the KIDSCREEN questionnaires can be analyzed using different statistical approaches depending on the objectives and design of the study.

Scoring: Participants provide responses using Likert-type scales. According to the description provided for the instrument, higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.

Descriptive Statistics: Means and standard deviations can be calculated to describe health-related quality of life within the study population. Other descriptive measures may also be used where appropriate.

Correlation Analysis: KIDSCREEN scores can be examined in relation to factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic conditions to investigate potential associations with health-related quality of life.

Comparative Analysis: Scores may be compared across different groups, such as boys and girls, to identify potential differences in quality of life.

Reliability Analysis: Internal consistency can be examined using appropriate reliability indicators, including Cronbach’s alpha.

Multivariate Analysis: Depending on the research design, regression models or other multivariate statistical techniques may be applied to explore factors associated with variations in health-related quality of life.

Calibration and Psychometric Evaluation

Psychometric evaluation is an important component of the use of KIDSCREEN, particularly when the questionnaire is administered across different populations or cultural contexts.

Cross-Cultural Studies: The instrument may be examined in different cultural settings to assess its appropriateness and accuracy within the population being studied.

Reliability: Internal consistency can be evaluated using measures such as Cronbach’s alpha to determine the consistency of responses across the relevant items.

Validity: Validity testing can be conducted to examine whether the instrument adequately reflects participants’ experiences of health-related quality of life.

When translated or adapted for use in a different linguistic or cultural context, appropriate procedures for linguistic and psychometric evaluation should be considered.

Applications

The KIDSCREEN-27 & KIDSCREEN-52 can be used in research focusing on the health, well-being, and quality of life of children and adolescents.

Potential applications include the assessment of health-related quality of life within population groups, the comparison of different demographic groups, the investigation of social and socioeconomic factors, and the evaluation of changes in quality of life within research programs or interventions.

Its multidimensional approach allows researchers to consider young people’s health and well-being within a broader framework that incorporates physical, psychological, and social aspects of their lives.

Interpretation of Results

KIDSCREEN results should be interpreted according to the scoring procedures applicable to the specific version of the questionnaire being used.

In general, higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life, whereas lower scores reflect comparatively poorer perceived quality of life within the dimensions assessed by the instrument.

Interpretation should consider the characteristics of the study population, the research objectives, and the specific dimensions being evaluated rather than relying exclusively on an overall score.

The questionnaire is intended to assess health-related quality of life and should not, on its own, be interpreted as a clinical diagnostic instrument.

References

Ravens-Sieberer, U., & Auquier, P. (2006). KIDSCREEN-27: Quality of life measurement in children and adolescents. European Journal of Public Health.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Global perspectives on child health. WHO Report.