Research article summary (published 28 Feb 2004):

Health-related quality of life in middle-aged African Americans.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In this article we explore the measurement properties of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) in 49- to 65-year-old African Americans, compare their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with that of the nation, and evaluate the association of selected covariates with HRQoL. METHODS: A probability sample of 998 African Americans in St. Louis received comprehensive in-home assessments. We used an item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency reliability to evaluate the measurement properties of the eight SF-36 scales and their interrelationships. We used a multiple linear regression analysis to characterize the effects of the demographic, socioeconomic status, psychosocial attributes, and biomedical markers. RESULTS: Assessments averaged 2.5 hr. Each SF-36 scale was unidimensional, all items had robust factor loadings, and all but one scale achieved excellent (alpha > or = .80) internal consistency reliability levels. The overall factor structure of the SF-36 scales was generally consistent with national norms. Substantial variance was explained by the covariates, mostly attributable to socioeconomic status and the biomedical markers. CONCLUSIONS: The SF-36 is a reliable and valid measure of HRQoL for use with African Americans. In this sample, the HRQoL was below national averages. Future social epidemiologic studies should include grip strength, vision, and hearing assessments, which had substantial and consistent associations with the SF-36 scale scores.

Author information

Author/s: Wolinsky, Fredric D (FD); Miller, Douglas K (DK); Andresen, Elena M (EM); Malmstrom, Theodore K (TK); Miller, J Philip (JP);

Affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. frederic-wolinski(-atsign-)uiowa.edu

Grants: R01 AG-10436 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Mar; vol 59 (issue 2) : pp S118-23

Dates: Created 2004/03/11; Completed 2004/04/19; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 15014099, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Activities of Daily Living - classification; psychology Adaptation, Psychological African Continental Ancestry Group - psychology Aged Aging - psychology Chronic Disease - psychology Female Health Status Health Surveys

Humans Male Middle Aged Missouri Poverty - psychology Quality of Life - psychology Religion and Psychology Social Support Urban Population

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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