# interRAI Quality of Life for Mental Health and Addictions: Psychometric Properties and Differences Across Age, Gender, and Service Settings in Brazil

## TL;DR

This study evaluates a new tool for measuring quality of life in mental health and addiction care in Brazil, finding it reliable and showing differences based on age, gender, and care settings.

## Contribution

The study introduces and validates the interRAI QOL instrument in a Brazilian context, highlighting its psychometric reliability and variability across demographic and service factors.

## Key findings

- The interRAI QOL instrument showed good psychometric properties with a confirmatory factor analysis fit (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.08).
- Reliability was adequate across all subscales, with McDonald's Omega ranging from 0.71 to 0.88.
- Quality of life dimensions varied significantly by age, gender, and care setting, with better profiles in specific service locations.

## Abstract

Estimate the psychometric properties of the interRAI Quality of Life for Mental Health and Addictions (interRAI QOL) instrument with users of Psychosocial Care Centers and participants of therapeutic groups in Primary Health Care, exploring age, gender, and service settings differences in quality of life.

This quantitative study was conducted with 617 users from Psychosocial Care Centers and Primary Care services in two Brazilian states, Rio Grande do Sul and Rondônia. Data collection was carried out using the interRAI QOL. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability assessment were performed using McDonald's Omega index. Non‐parametric tests, including Mann‐Whitney and Kruskal‐Wallis, were conducted to compare the Quality‐of‐Life dimensions among participants based on age, gender, and care unit.

The confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the hypothesized model (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.08). Reliability was adequate for all subscales according to McDonald's Omega, ranging from 0.71 to 0.88. Gender differences were observed in the well‐being and health dimensions, while all dimensions except support showed significant differences based on age group. The care unit location also revealed significant differences across all dimensions. Participants from Psychosocial Care Center Alcohol and Drugs and from Primary Health Care show better QOL profiles than in other settings and regions.

The interRAI QOL demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and proved to be a valuable new instrument for assessing quality of life among individuals receiving care in the psychosocial care network.