Construct validity of the Chinese version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale in a Chinese community sample
Received 3 December 2008; received in revised form 27 March 2009; accepted 19 May 2009. published online 13 July 2009.
Abstract
Objective
This paper aims to evaluate the factorial validity of the Chinese version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale (ChCFS) using a Chinese community sample.
Methods
A total of 201 Chinese adults completed the ChCFS, the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF12), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the fit of a one-factor model, a two-factor correlated model, and a three-factor hierarchical model in both the 14-item and 11-item versions of ChCFS to the current data.
Results
ChCFS successfully replicated the original two-factor structure in the current Chinese community sample, and the 11-item version demonstrated better data-model fit than the 14-item version. The instrument possessed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=.863). The convergent validity with HADS and divergent validity with SF12 were also evident.
Conclusions
ChCFS is valid and reliable among Chinese adults in the general population.
aDepartment of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
bHealth Behavioral Research Group, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine & Unit for Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Corresponding author. Department of Community Medicine & Unit for Behavioral Sciences, 5/F William M. W. Mong Block, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 28199288; fax: +852 28559528.
ABSTRACT