A partial validation of the WHOQOL-OLD in a sample of older people in South Africa

Abstract

Background: This paper describes the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL–OLD, an add–on module to" the World Health Organization s Quality of Life measure for older people in a South African sample. The WHOQOL–OLD module was further condensed into three short versions which contain the best items of the original module. The psychometric properties associated with the three short versions of the WHOQOLOLD are also described. Method: Data were collected from Afrikaans–speaking older people (n176) residing in long–term care "facilities in Potchefstroom, situated in the North–West province of South Africa. The mean age of participants" was 77 years (SD8.1). Fifty participants were males and 126 were females. All reported average–to–good health and cognitive ability. Results: The current study found encouraging results related to the original factor structure of the WHOQOL–OLD as well as the three short versions of this instrument. Results stemming from the data of the current sample seem to be a good fit with the original factor structure of the WHOQOL–OLD. The reliabilities associated with the various sub–dimensions point to a reliable instrument. "Conclusions: The WHOQOL–OLD with its 24 items or any of the three short versions of this instrument can," "therefore, be utilised in a SouthAfrican context (Version 3 of the short versions seems to be the better fitting version).