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The performance of the EQ-HWB-S as a measure of quality-of-life of caregivers in families that have experienced adverse events

Author

Listed:
  • Cate Bailey

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Kim Dalziel

    (The University of Melbourne
    Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

  • Leanne Constable

    (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

  • Nancy J. Devlin

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Harriet Hiscock

    (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    Royal Children’s Hospital
    The University of Melbourne)

  • Helen Skouteris

    (Monash University)

  • Tessa Peasgood

    (The University of Melbourne
    University of Sheffield)

Abstract

Purpose The recently developed EQ Health and Wellbeing Instrument (EQ-HWB) is a broad, generic measure of quality-of-life designed to be suitable for caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate performance and validity of the 9-item version (EQ-HWB-S) for caregivers where families had experienced adverse-life-events. Methods Using survey data from caregivers of children aged 0–8 years attending a community-health centre in 2021–2022, the general performance, feasibility, convergent and known-group validity, responsiveness-to-change, and test–retest reliability of the EQ-HWB-S was assessed. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with survey respondents to assess acceptability and content validity. Results The sample included 234 caregivers at baseline (81% female, mean age 36-years, 38% Australian-born) and 190 at 6-months follow-up. Most EQ-HWB-S item responses were evenly spread, except for ‘Mobility’. The instrument showed good convergent validity with psychological distress (Kessler 6 (K6)) and personal-wellbeing (PWI-A) scales. EQ-HWB-S level sum-scores and preference-weighted scores were significantly different in all known-group analyses, in expected directions, and the instrument was responsive to change. For test–retest reliability, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were excellent and individual item Kappa scores were moderate. The instrument was well received by interviewees who found the questions clear and relevant. The items were appropriate for parents experiencing adversity and carers of children with additional needs. Conclusion The EQ-HWB-S appeared valid, responsive to change, feasible, and well accepted by caregivers. By demonstrating the validity of the EQ-HWB-S in this hard-to-reach population of caregivers in families experiencing adverse events, this study adds to existing international evidence supporting its use.

Suggested Citation

  • Cate Bailey & Kim Dalziel & Leanne Constable & Nancy J. Devlin & Harriet Hiscock & Helen Skouteris & Tessa Peasgood, 2025. "The performance of the EQ-HWB-S as a measure of quality-of-life of caregivers in families that have experienced adverse events," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 26(1), pages 7-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:26:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10198-024-01688-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01688-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Werner B. F. Brouwer, 2019. "The Inclusion of Spillover Effects in Economic Evaluations: Not an Optional Extra," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 451-456, April.
    2. Eve Wittenberg & Lyndon P. James & Lisa A. Prosser, 2019. "Spillover Effects on Caregivers’ and Family Members’ Utility: A Systematic Review of the Literature," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 475-499, April.
    3. Lidia Engel & Leona Kosowicz & Ekaterina Bogatyreva & Frances Batchelor & Nancy Devlin & Briony Dow & Andrew S. Gilbert & Brendan Mulhern & Tessa Peasgood & Rosalie Viney, 2023. "Face Validity of Four Preference-Weighted Quality-of-Life Measures in Residential Aged Care: A Think-Aloud Study," The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Springer;International Academy of Health Preference Research, vol. 16(6), pages 655-666, November.
    4. Lisa A. Prosser & Kara Lamarand & Acham Gebremariam & Eve Wittenberg, 2015. "Measuring Family HRQoL Spillover Effects Using Direct Health Utility Assessment," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 35(1), pages 81-93, January.
    5. Tessa Peasgood & Clara Mukuria & Jill Carlton & Janice Connell & Nancy Devlin & Karen Jones & Rosemary Lovett & Bhash Naidoo & Stacey Rand & Juan Carlos Rejon-Parrilla & Donna Rowen & Aki Tsuchiya & J, 2021. "What is the best approach to adopt for identifying the domains for a new measure of health, social care and carer-related quality of life to measure quality-adjusted life years? Application to the dev," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 22(7), pages 1067-1081, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Psychometric; EQ-HWB; Families; Adverse life experiences; ACE; Quality of life;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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