WHOQOL-BREF psychometric properties in a sample of smokers.

OBJECTIVE To study the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref psychometric properties in a sample of smokers. It is a self-administered instrument to evaluate quality of life. It contains 26 questions allocated to 4 domains: Social, Psychological, Physical and Environmental, there are 2 questions related to the Global domain. METHOD The sample was formed by 276 tobacco users selected at random. The instruments applied were: World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item. The statistical analysis was accomplished up by ANOVA, Cronbach's alpha, Pearson's Coefficient and Multiple Regression. RESULTS The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref presented good reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.9207), converging validation (0.382<r<0.753; p<0.001), discriminant validation and criterion validation (0.554<r<0.778; p<0.001). CONCLUSION The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref proved to be an adequate instrument, with a good level of reliability, being easily and quickly administered.