Abstract

SILVA, Marisa  and  RIBEIRO, José Luís Pais. Paediatric oncology quality of life scale – POQOLS: adaptation of a questionnaire to the portuguese population. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2008, vol.9, n.1, pp.131-141. ISSN 1645-0086.

This study describes the development of the Pediatric Oncology Quality of Life Scale (POQOLS), a 21 item scale, a parent report measure for assessing the quality of life (QOL) of children with cancer. Participants are 125 children with cancer, 65 survivors cancer free for more than five years (mean age 12 years) and 60 with cancer (mean age 8 years), and their parents. The questionnaire includes three dimensions, physical function and role restriction, emotional distress, and reaction to current medical treatment, with a score for each dimension more a total score. We look for a conservative solution and maintain the original dimensional solution. Results show adequate internal consistency reliabilities of the total scale and the three factors were appropriate. We can say that the Portuguese version is an appropriate instrument to assess the QoL of children with cancer and that measures the same constructs in the same way that the original version.

Keywords : Quality of life; Children; Cancer disease.

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