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Cultural Issues in Using the SF-36 Health Survey in Asia: Results from Taiwan.
- Source :
- Health & Quality of Life Outcomes; 2003, Vol. 1, p72-9, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background: The feasibility of using the SF-36 in non-Western cultures is important for researchers seeking to understand cultural influences upon health status perceptions. This paper reports on the performance of the Taiwan version of the SF-36, including the implications of cultural influences. Methods: A total of 1191 volunteered subjects from the general population answered the translated SF-36 Taiwan version, which was developed following IQOLA project protocols. Results: Results from tests of scaling assumptions and reliability generally were satisfactory. Convergent validity, as assessed by comparing the SF-36 to a mental health oriented inventory, was acceptable. Results of principal components analysis were similar to US results for many scales. However, differences were seen for the Vitality scale which was a stronger measure of mental health than physical health in Taiwan. Results are compared to those from other Asian studies and the U.S. Conclusion: The results raise important questions regarding cultural influences in international studies of health status assessment. Further research into the conceptualization and components of mental health in Asian countries is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEALTH surveys
CULTURE
MENTAL health
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14777525
- Volume :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Health & Quality of Life Outcomes
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28747758
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-1-72