LAUSR

ABSTRACT Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Group developed a self-report 26-item questionnaire called the WHO Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF). This instrument has been translated into different languages, and its validity and reliability have been confirmed in many countries. This research determined and analyzed the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese version of the WHOQOL-BREF. Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese WHOQOL-BREF as an instrument for ascertaining QOL among Vietnamese medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted in the assessment of the instrument, which involved 1,357 medical undergraduates from different regions of Vietnam. The QOL of the students were measured using the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha testing and exploratory factor analysis were conducted to determine the reliability and validity of the scale. Results: The internal consistency and construct validity of the Vietnamese WHOQOL-BREF indicated that the instrument had acceptable reliability and validity. The Cronbach’s alpha values of the questionnaire’s different domains were deemed satisfactory (>0.6), with scores of 0.67 to 0.81 for each domain and 0.88 for the entire scale. The factor loadings reflected the discriminant validity of the WHOQOL-BREF with respect to all domains. Conclusion: The Vietnamese version of the WHOQOL-BREF is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating the QOL of medical students in Vietnam.