Development of the Valued Living Questionnaire – Comprehension Support version (VLQ-CS) and validation in adults with acquired brain injury
Creators: name: Wong, Dana
name: Miller, Hannah
name: Lawson, David
name: Borschmann, Karen
name: Armstrong, Alexandra
name: Sathananthan, Nick
name: Kamberis, Nicolette
name: Skaliotis, Jessica
name: Power, Emma
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Space Science
subject: Medicine
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy

description: Valued living (acting in accordance with personal values) is associated with better outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI), but its measurement using the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ) may not be valid due to comprehension errors relating to structure and content. We aimed to modify the VLQ to improve its accessibility and evaluate construct validity and reliability in an ABI cohort. Adaptations made in the VLQ – Comprehension Support version (VLQ-CS) used established communication support methods and addressed common comprehension errors. 103 community-dwelling participants (34% female; mean age 52.17, range 19–79) with ABI (66% stroke, 16% TBI, 18% other) completed the VLQ-CS, and measures of convergent (valued living, mood, wellbeing, psychological inflexibility) and divergent validity (subjective memory). Test-retest reliability was evaluated with repeated administrations 6–8 weeks apart for a subset of participants (<i>n</i> = 44), using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). Convergent validity was supported; VLQ-CS scores were positively correlated with measures of valued living (<i>r=</i>.60–.65) and wellbeing (<i>r=</i>.64–.67), and negatively correlated with depression (<i>r=</i>-0.56<i>–.</i>58), anxiety (<i>r=-</i>0.35–.38) and psychological inflexibility (<i>r=</i>-0.37–.41). Divergent validity was marginal (<i>r</i>=-0.29). Test-retest reliability was good for the VLQ-CS Composite score (ICC=.80). The VLQ-CS shows promise as a valid, reliable measure of valued living post-ABI. Future research should extend to neurotypical and other clinical populations. Valued living or values-based action is associated with better functional and psychosocial outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI) and is therefore an important target for intervention.Measurement of valued living needs to be clear, easily understood, and relevant for people with cognitive and communication impairments associated with ABI and other conditions.The Valued Living Questionnaire – Comprehension Support version (VLQ-CS) was developed to optimise accessibility and reduce comprehension errors.The VLQ-CS is valid, reliable and fit-for-purpose as a measure of valued living for people with ABI. Valued living or values-based action is associated with better functional and psychosocial outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI) and is therefore an important target for intervention. Measurement of valued living needs to be clear, easily understood, and relevant for people with cognitive and communication impairments associated with ABI and other conditions. The Valued Living Questionnaire – Comprehension Support version (VLQ-CS) was developed to optimise accessibility and reduce comprehension errors. The VLQ-CS is valid, reliable and fit-for-purpose as a measure of valued living for people with ABI.