The Child and Adolescent Scale of Environment (CASE): Further validation with youth who have chronic conditions

Abstract

Objective: To further validate the Child and Adolescent Scale of Environment (CASE).

Methods: Baseline data (n = 430) were analyzed from a longitudinal study on quality of life for youth with chronic conditions ages 11–17 in Ontario, Canada. Internal consistency and structure, and convergent and discriminant validity were examined via Cronbach’s alpha (α), exploratory factor analyses, correlation analyses and ANOVA.

Results: The CASE had high internal consistency (α = 0.89). A three-factor solution was produced with 55% variance explained: (1) Community/Home Resources, (2) School Resources and (3) Physical Design/Access). CASE total and factor scores were significantly correlated with scores from measures of impairment and participation (i.e. youth with more problematic environments had more severe impairment and more restricted participation). Significant differences in CASE scores existed for primary condition and impairment severity, but not for age or gender.

Conclusion: Results provide additional CASE validation evidence. Further testing is needed with more diverse and representative samples.

• Chronic conditions
• disability
• environment
• measurement
• participation
• youth

Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge Dr. Virginia Wright (study co-investigator) for reviewing this manuscript and providing editorial suggestions. We also thank Dr. Linda Miller (study co-investigator) and Ms. Megan Nichols (study project coordinator) for their contributions to the larger study. Appreciation is extended to all youth, families, research assistants, study interviewers and collaborators who are participating in the larger study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

This research was supported by a grant (#191232) from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.