Quality of life. A contribution to construct validation and the development of a modular system

The construct Quality of Life (QoL) is investigated by metaanalysis of eigh t (inter)nationally validated questionnaires in a multicenter study. Data h ave been collected in a mentally healthy (n=479),a depressed (n=171) and a schizophrenic (n=139) sample. Conventional psychometric criteria and a face t analytical methodology have been applied. The resulting questionnaire "Mo dular System for Quality of Life" (MSQol) consists of a core module with 47 items (one "G-factor" and six sub-dimensions),which is sufficiently valid for all th ree samples. Additionally, there are four specific modules (demo graphy, family, partnership, profession). No specific modules can be identi fied for the psychopathological subgroups. The validated radex structure fo r subjective QoL offers the opportunity for a cumulative research design an d for adaptations to the actual setting.