ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study is to test the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument(WHOQOL). METHODS: According to the instructions of the WHOQOL group, THe WHOQOL was translated into Korean. Words for anchor points were selected based on a preliminary survey. Words or sentences were examined and modified by layman focus groups and a group of psychiatrists and psychologists so that the scale would be expressed in a more culturallyadequate and easily-understandable way. A back-translated Korean version into English was sent to the WHO group for examination. A group of 583 Koreans consisting of healthy people, medical patients and college students rated the Korean version of WHOQOL. For test-retest reliability, 113 college student rated it again after a 3-week interval. Statistical analysis was done with the collected data. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients were regarded to have good test-retest reliabilily. Cronbach alpha value of total score, and scores of domains and facets were high. Total score and score of domains and facets were significantly correlated with overall QOL score and QOL-general impression score showing a significant criterion validity. Path analysis for content validity showed a certain pattern of relations among domains. There were significant differences in some domains and facets between sexes and age groups, as well as between healthy group and patient groups showing a significant discriminative validity. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of WHOQOL was proved to be a reliable and valid instrument for quality of life.