Hierarchical measurement structure in the Women's Health Questionnaire : a confirmatory factor analysis

• Main Authors: Shen, Biing Jiun, Fan, Qianqian, Huang, J. S., Ho, Moon Ho Ringo, Mack, Wendy Jean, Hodis, Howard Neil
• Other Authors: School of Social Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology; Health-related Quality of Life; Measurement Structure
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/150398
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Purpose: This study conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the measurement structure of the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and how its components were organized. Methods: Participants were 448 postmenopausal women, with a mean age of 63.3 years. CFA was conducted to test how well several proposed measurement models fit the data. Results: The single-factor model performed poorly, indicating the presence of multiple factors. The model with seven correlated factors fit the data well, although the varying degrees of inter-factor correlations suggested grouping of similar factors. The hierarchical measurement structure, with seven first-order factors organized under two second-order factors of physical health and mental health functioning, demonstrated a good fit with the data (χ²(367) = 694.05, p < 0.001; root mean square error of approximation = 0.05; comparative fit index = 0.95) and a meaningful pattern. The Mental Health factor was represented by Depressed Mood, Anxiety/Fear, Memory/Concentration Problems, and Sleep Problems. The Physical Health factor was manifested mainly by Somatic Symptoms, Menstrual Symptoms, and Vasomotor Symptoms, and, to a lesser extent, also by Sleep Problems and Memory/Concentration Problems. Conclusion: Findings suggested that, in addition to a global index and subscale scores, the WHQ may produce summary scores of physical health and mental health functioning in evaluation of well-being among postmenopausal women.