Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Learning Problems: Development and Validation of the LD/QOL15 Scale.

Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Learning Problems: Development and Validation of the LD/QOL15 Scale. J Learn Disabil. 2018 May 01;:22219418775119 Authors: Waber DP, Boiselle EC, Forbes PW, Girard JM, Sideridis GD Abstract Learning problems (LP) can have wider implications than the academic deficits per se. The goal of the present series of studies was to develop a reliable and valid quality-of-life measure targeted to children and adolescents with LP. In Study 1, using a 35-item questionnaire, we surveyed 151 parents/guardians of children referred for assessment of learning disorders. Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor model: Academic Performance, School Understanding, and Child/Family Psychological. These factors were validated against standardized measures of academic achievement and psychosocial functioning. The questionnaire was then reduced to 15 items-the LD/QOL15 -and administered to a community sample of 325 parents/guardians of children in Grades 1 to 8 (Study 2). The three-factor model was verified with confirmatory factor analysis. Comparison of general education ( n = 232) and LP ( n = 93) groups within the community sample documented substantial group differences ( p < .0001), with the LP group having higher mean scores. These differences were larger for older students (Grades 5-8) than younger students (Grades 1-4; p < .01). The LD/QOL15 is a brief and reliable measure that is v...
Source: Journal of Learning Disabilities - Category: Disability Authors: Tags: J Learn Disabil Source Type: research