Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM)

Introduction This study analysed the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM) in the Argentinian population. Patients and Methods The sample included 232 caregivers, of who 108 were parents of children with chronic diseases (mean, 9.54; standard deviation [SD], 4.43) and 124 parents of children in the general population (mean, 12.37; SD, 4.6). Results We assessed the validity of the instrument with the known-groups method, finding significant differences between the case and control groups in the overall and subscale scores (P < .01). We also assessed test validity by means of exploratory factor analysis, which yielded an 8-factor model that explained 74.03% of the variance. We assessed reliability with the Cronbach alpha and found a high internal consistency (α=0.95). Conclusion The PedsQL module proved to be a valid and reliable tool to assess the impact of a chronic paediatric condition on caregiver quality of life and family functioning.