The Lancashire Quality of Life Profile: modification and psychometric evaluation

Background: Although widely used in Europe, the conceptual and psychometric qualities of the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQoLP) have not been thoroughly examined. Four issues need attention: coverage, scale constructi on, systematic missing data, and psychometric properties. Method: Concept m apping was used to examine the coverage, and exploratory factor analysis to examine the empirical scale structure of the LQoLP. Data of 518 long-term patients from ten different mental health care settings were used. Modifica tions to the LQoLP were proposed on the basis of these findings, and its ps ychometric properties were tested. Thirty-one respondents participated in a test-retest reliability study (T1-T2: 2 weeks). Results: The modified LQoL P covers the quality of life-concept in a more comprehensive manner. Intern al consistency, test-retest reliability and validity are good. Conclusions: The modified version of the LQoLP now covers ten domains, paying specific attention to patients' definition of quality of life (autonomy, coping, sel f-worth). Domains are now based on factor analysis. The problem of systemat ic missing data is solved. Psychometric properties are good. Because of mod erate alphas, two domains need further investigation.