Psychometric validation of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire (EVS-KOS) in the Kosovar population
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v77.117600Keywords:
Factor analysis, health, Healthy lifestyles, psychometricsAbstract
Introduction: The promotion of healthy lifestyles is regarded as a cornerstone of public health and the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. Cultural and linguistic adaptation of assessment instruments is essential to ensure their validity across different population contexts.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to validate the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire – EVS-KOS through a confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model.
Methodology: A total of 230 Kosovar individuals participated in the study, comprising both men and women, aged between 18 and 50 years (M = 22.91; SD = 6.51).
Results: The findings demonstrated that the psychometric properties support the adequacy of the factorial structure of the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire – EVS-KOS (8 factors / 32 items), with acceptable and robust validity indices. The instrument showed appropriate fit indices for both health-promoting behaviors, χ²/df = 1.77, CFI = .91, TLI = .90, RMSEA = .058 (95% CI [.044, .073]), SRMR = .059, and health-risk behaviors, χ²/df = 1.61, CFI = .95, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .054 (95% CI [.038, .069]), SRMR = .067.
Discussion: These results are consistent with validations conducted in Portugal, Spain, and Ecuador, reinforcing the cross-cultural consistency of the questionnaire, while also highlighting certain cultural specificities within the Kosovar context.
Conclusions: The Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire – EVS-KOS proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing lifestyles in the Kosovar population, representing a key resource for research and for the development of public health policies in the country.
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