The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties(†)

Boivin, Jacky; Takefman, Janet; Braverman, Andrea

Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to screen for problematic items. distribution, high inter-correlations (of .0.80 among item set), poor scale coherence, interpretive issues]. Other items were deleted because they measured broad constructs (e.g. self-esteem) that could be better captured by measures designed for that purpose and that, if retained, would confound associations with those measures in future research. The final FertiQoL item set submitted for exploratory factor analysis was comprised of 24 items from the core set of items and 10 items from the optional treatment module. The 24 core items were conceptualized as reflecting QoL in the emotional, mind-body (i.e. cognitive and physical), relational and social domains. The 10 optional treatment items were conceptualized as indexing treatment environment and treatment tolerability. An additional two items measuring satisfaction with QoL and physical health were retained for the FertiQoL measure to indicate general physical and QoL satisfaction, but were not included in the factor analysis. Wording for these items changed as a result of psychometric evaluation and participant feedback.