Cross-cultural adaptation of psychometric measures requires a systematic translation and adaptation process to ensure equivalence between the original measure and the target version for use in a different culture. The purpose in this study is to adapt and validate the quality of life (QOL) for children with autism spectrum disorder (QOLASD-C) scale for use with Romanian children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A sample of 102 parents of children with ASD in Romania completed the QOLASD-C scale and the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). The authors used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the optimal model and Pearson correlations to examine the divergent and convergent validity. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to examine the differences in the QOLASD-C subscales across ASD levels of severity.
Factor analysis supported a correlated three-factor model as the optimal solution for the QOLASD-C scale and indicated high internal consistency of the items comprising the scale. Results also suggested good convergent and divergent validity with the SDQ. The analysis of variance showed that children with mild levels of ASD severity had higher QOL scores, and children with severe levels of ASD had lower QOL scores across the three domains assessed by the scale. The authors concluded that the adapted QOLASD-C is a culturally valid and reliable scale with strong psychometric properties for measuring QOL in Romanian children with ASD.
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to translate, adapt and validate a QOL measure with a sample of Romanian children with ASD and, thus, makes a significant and unique contribution to the literature by providing psychometric evidence that the adapted QOLASD-C is a reliable and valid measure to assess the QOL in Romanian children with ASD.
