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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Willi Horner-Johnson, PhD¹, Trevor Hall, PhD², Rie Suzuki, PhD³, and Charles Drum, JD, PhD¹. (1) Center on Community Accessibility, Oregon Health & Science University, PO Box 574, Portland, OR 97207, 503-494-9273, hornerjo@ohsu.edu, (2) RRTC: Health and Wellness, Oregon Health & Science University, PO Box 574, Portland, OR 97207, (3) Rehabilitation Research and Training Center: Healtlh and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, Health & Wellness, PO Box 574, Portland, OR 97207

Intercorrelations among the health related quality of life items of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System suggest the items may be reducible to one or more composite scale scores. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the factor structure of the four core HRQOL items and the five symptom days questions, and to determine whether the factor structure differs for people with and without disabilities. Principal Component factor analyses were conducted with combined 1998-2000 data from states that used the HRQOL/disability module in those years. Analyses were conducted for the entire sample, and by disability status, age of onset of disability, and current age. For the full sample, a two-factor solution emerged, corresponding conceptually to a physical health factor and a mental health factor. A similar factor structure was found for people with and without disabilities, people with disability acquired in adulthood versus earlier, and people over and under age 65. However, some group differences were found regarding whether vitality (days felt very healthy and full of energy) loaded on the physical or mental health factor. For people under age 65 with no disabilities, vitality loaded only on the mental health factor, whereas for people over age 65 with a disability, vitality loaded only on the physical health factor. For other groups, it loaded on both factors. Possible reasons for these differences will be discussed. Examples of the utility of physical and mental health factor scores in measuring the health of people with disabilities will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At session’s end, participants will be able to

• Describe the factor structure of the BRFSS HRQOL items for various subpopulations of people with and without disabilities
• Discuss possible reasons for different patterns of responses to HRQOL items depending on subpopulation membership.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation