Project: Development and implementation of an instrument for the assessment of quality of life in youth care services

2021-09-01 – 2022-08-31

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) has become an important research theme and a valued outcome indicator in research and practice in a variety of educational, health care, and social welfare settings. It is considered a positive and non-stigmatizing way to understand the lives and circumstances of youngsters in vulnerable situations. To gain insight into critical ingredients for a life of quality for these youngsters in research and practice, this PhD-study aims to develop a new scale for the assessment of QoL among adolescents in youth services. First, an exploratory study among youth in residential care (N=25) was conducted to gain insight into young people’s understanding of QoL, and to explore the applicability of a theoretical QoL framework. Next, a multistep process (literature review, international expert panel, interviews and focus groups with 21 youngsters) was adopted to develop a new scale, the Quality of Life in Youth Services Scale (QOLYSS). The initial version (88 items) was first pretested (N=29), and then a large-scale field test in youth care services in Flanders was conducted (N=280) to examine the reliability (i.e. internal consistency) and validity (i.e., factor structure) of the scale, as well as to gain initial insights into the QoL of this group of young people. In addition, a single case study is used to examine critical elements and prerequisites regarding the implementation of the QOLYSS in youth care services.