Psychometric validation of a multi-dimensional capability instrument for outcome measurement in mental health research (OxCAP-MH)

Vergunst, Francis, Jenkinson, Crispin, Burns, Tom, Anand, Paul, Gray, Alastair, Rugkåsa, Jorun and Simon, Judit (2017) Psychometric validation of a multi-dimensional capability instrument for outcome measurement in mental health research (OxCAP-MH). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 15 (250). ISSN 1477-7525

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Abstract

Background Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely used in mental healthcare research for quality of life assessment but most fail to capture the breadth of health and non-health domains that can be impacted. We report the psychometric validation of a novel, multi-dimensional instrument based on Amartya Sen’s capability approach intended for use as an outcome measure in mental health research. Methods The Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire for Mental Health (OxCAP-MH) is a 16-item self-complete capability measure that covers multiple domains of functioning and welfare. Data for validation of the instrument were collected through a national randomised controlled trial of community treatment orders for patients with psychosis. Complete OxCAP-MH data were available for 172 participants. Internal consistency was established with Cronbach’s alpha; an interclass correlation coefficient was used to assess test-retest reliability in a sub-sample (N = 50) tested one week apart. Construct validity was established by comparing OxCAP-MH total scores with established instruments of illness severity and functioning: EuroQol (EQ-5D), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and Objective Social Outcomes Index (SIX). Sensitivity was established by calculating standard error of measurement using distributional methods. Results The OxCAP-MH showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.79) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.86). Convergent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with the EQ-5D (VAS 0.52, p < .001) (Utility 0.45, p < .001), and divergent validity through more modest associations with the BPRS (−0.41, p < .001), GAF (0.24, p < .001) and SIX (0.12, p = ns). A change of 9.2 points on a 0–100 scale was found to be meaningful on statistical grounds. Conclusions The OxCAP-MH has demonstrable reliability and construct validity and represents a promising multi-dimensional alternative to existing patient-reported outcome measures for quality of life used in mental health research.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://hqlo.biomedcentral.com/
Additional Information:	© 2017 The Authors © CC BY 4.0
Divisions:	Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2018 11:44
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2024 02:42
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/87000

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