Abstract
Review objectives
How is quality of life operationalised as an outcome measure in addiction research?
The purpose of the review is to identify and summarise the quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment instruments that have been empirically used as outcome measures in research relating to substance or behavioural addiction. For this review HRQol will be defined as “a term referring to the health aspects of quality of life, generally considered to reflect the impact of disease and treatment on disability and daily functioning.” (Mayo, 2015, p. 69). Whereas QoL will be defined as “broader than just health and includes components of material comforts, health and personal safety, relationships, learning, creative expression, opportunity to help and encourage others, participation in public affairs, socialisation and leisure.” (Mayo, 2015, p. 115). Particularly in health care settings, instruments are used to measure the immediate and wider consequences of the disorder and treatments targeting them.
The specific focus will be to identify existing instruments and subsequently quantify the popularity of dimensions and sub-domains of the QoL and HRQoL constructs captured in included studies. A content analysis will be performed on the item content used across the domains of all the identified instruments.
These analyses will inform researchers and clinicians of how QoL is operationalised in addiction research and what instruments are best suited for assessing specific populations. This review will also inform the development of a new item pool to assess QoL in young people who consume alcohol at risky and harmful levels.
How is quality of life operationalised as an outcome measure in addiction research?
The purpose of the review is to identify and summarise the quality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment instruments that have been empirically used as outcome measures in research relating to substance or behavioural addiction. For this review HRQol will be defined as “a term referring to the health aspects of quality of life, generally considered to reflect the impact of disease and treatment on disability and daily functioning.” (Mayo, 2015, p. 69). Whereas QoL will be defined as “broader than just health and includes components of material comforts, health and personal safety, relationships, learning, creative expression, opportunity to help and encourage others, participation in public affairs, socialisation and leisure.” (Mayo, 2015, p. 115). Particularly in health care settings, instruments are used to measure the immediate and wider consequences of the disorder and treatments targeting them.
The specific focus will be to identify existing instruments and subsequently quantify the popularity of dimensions and sub-domains of the QoL and HRQoL constructs captured in included studies. A content analysis will be performed on the item content used across the domains of all the identified instruments.
These analyses will inform researchers and clinicians of how QoL is operationalised in addiction research and what instruments are best suited for assessing specific populations. This review will also inform the development of a new item pool to assess QoL in young people who consume alcohol at risky and harmful levels.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Type | Methods and Protocols |
| Media of output | Online - PROSPERO database produced by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) |
| Publisher | PROSPERO |
| Place of Publication | York |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Jun 2020 |