Measuring self-esteem after spinal cord injury: Development, validation and psychometric characteristics of the SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank and short form

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2015 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772315Y.0000000014 · Published: May 1, 2015

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on creating a way to measure self-esteem specifically for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Self-esteem is how someone feels about themselves, and it can be affected by life-changing events like SCI. The researchers developed a list of questions (an 'item bank') designed to assess self-esteem in individuals with SCI. They made sure the questions were clear and relevant by involving both people with SCI and experts in SCI care. The final result is a tool (SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank) that can be used to measure self-esteem in a way that is meaningful and accurate for people with SCI. This tool can be used as a long questionnaire, a short questionnaire or a computer-adaptive test.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

717 individuals with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A unidimensional model was observed, indicating that the items in the bank measure a single construct of self-esteem.
2
The SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank demonstrated good measurement precision.
3
The final calibrated item bank resulted in 23 retained items after rigorous testing and refinement.

Research Summary

The study describes the development and testing of the SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank, a new tool for measuring self-esteem in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The item bank was developed using a mixed-methods design, incorporating input from individuals with SCI and clinicians, cognitive interviews, and item-response theory (IRT)-based analytic approaches. The final item bank consists of 23 items and demonstrates good psychometric properties, including unidimensionality, measurement precision, and minimal differential item functioning (DIF). Short form items are also suggested and computer adaptive tests are available.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank provides a specific, reliable tool for clinicians to measure self-esteem in individuals with SCI.

Research

The item bank can be used in research to explore the relationship between self-esteem and various outcomes in the SCI population, such as quality of life, functional impairment, and psychological well-being.

Intervention Development

The SCI-QOL Self-esteem item bank can be used to monitor self-esteem changes over time and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving self-esteem in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study participants were from several medical institutions across the United States, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations or countries.
2
The study only included individuals who could read and understand English, potentially excluding a significant portion of the SCI population.
3
The study did not specifically address the longitudinal changes in self-esteem over time, which could be important for understanding adaptation and adjustment to injury.

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