The Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ): Development and Psychometric Evaluation

Abstract

Measurements of subjective quality of life (QoL) are an important complement to symptom ratings in clinical research and practice. Despite there being several established QoL self-rating scales, we identified a need for a freely accessible, easy-to-use inventory, validated for use with both clinical and non-clinical samples, based on the overall life satisfaction conceptualization of QoL. The Brunnsviken Brief Quality of life scale (BBQ) was designed to meet these requirements. Items were selected by performing a factor analysis on a large data-set of QoL ratings collected previously. Six life areas (Leisure time, View on life, Creativity, Learning, Friends and Friendship, and View of self) were identified as important for overall QoL and were included in the BBQ. A psychometric evaluation was performed using two independent samples: healthy undergraduate students (n = 163), and a sample seeking treatment for social anxiety disorder (n = 568). Results suggested a unifactorial structure, with good concurrent and convergent validity, high internal and test-retest reliability, and accurate classification ability. We conclude that the BBQ is a valid and reliable measure of subjective QoL for use in clinical and research settings. The BBQ is presently available in 31 languages and can be freely downloaded from www.bbqscale.com.

The Negative Effects Questionnaire: psychometric properties of an instrument for assessing negative effects in psychological treatments

“…Each clinical trial included in the current study distributed a primary outcome measure selected by relevance, for instance the Spider Phobia Questionnaire (Muris and Merckelbach, 1996). Several secondary outcome measures were also administered; the Patient Health Questionnaire -9 items (PHQ-9; Löwe et al, 2004), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7 items (GAD-7; Spitzer et al, 2006), and the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ; Lindner et al, 2016). These are, however, only presented descriptively in Table 1 for an overview of the sample.…”

Validation of a clinician-administered diagnostic measure of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD: the International Trauma Interview in a Swedish sample

“…A lower score indicates lower quality of life. The Swedish BBQ has shown satisfactory psychometric properties (Lindner et al, 2016).…”

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…We used the MontgomeryÅsberg Depression Rating Scale Self-Report (MADRS-S [30]), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI [31]) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7 [32]) to assess depression, insomnia and anxiety, respectively. We further assessed sickness behavior (SicknessQ [33]), self-rated health (SRH-5 [34]), somatoform complaints (PHQ-15 [35]) and quality of life (BBQ [36]). Lastly, functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0 [37]) and work ability (WAI [38]) were measured.…”