| dc.description.abstract | The aim of the present study was to study the relationship between parental and child reports of quality of life (QoL) and the relationship of child- and parent characteristics on QoL. In a sample of 22q11DS adolescents and their parents, information concerning QoL, child characteristics and parent characteristics was obtained. Evaluation of the internal consistency of the subscales of the CHQ showed that several subscales were unreliable. However, reliable reports concerning the subscales bodily pain, general behavior, self esteem and family activities could be done. Against the expectation, mean QoL subscale scores of adolescents with 22q11DS were almost equal to the control group and the general norm group. In line with the hypothesis, it was found that the majority of the QoL (inter)subscale scores of the adolescents were significant. In the parent reports though, the subscales were less associated. Furthermore, it appeared that parents’ and adolescents’ reports of QoL were not strongly correlated with the (less observable) general behavior and self esteem subscales. Good agreement between adolescents and mothers was found on the (observable) subscale bodily pain; fair agreement between adolescents and fathers was found on the subscale family activities. Against the expectation, adolescent reports of QoL were not associated with child- and parent characteristics. Mother reports of the general behavior of their child were associated with the intelligence of the adolescent and mother reports of the self esteem of their child were associated with educational level of the mother. Father reports of the self esteem of their child were correlated with internalizing problems as reported by the adolescent. The findings in the present study partly fit with the expectations. In future research, examining factors associated with QoL assessing information concerning psychopathology of the child via parent-reports could be complementary. Also, future research with a larger sample of 22q11DS adolescents and with comparable control groups are needed to explore the usefulness of the CHQ-CF87 in the 22q11DS sample. Specific research into the relation between internalizing problem behavior and self esteem and possible appropriate interventions is necessary. When future research focuses on these and other (possible associating) factors, this will contribute to the perceived QoL of adolescents with 22q11DS. | |
