First psychometric evaluation of a disease-specific questionnaire for children's behavior related to otitis media with effusion

The major goal of the present study is a psychometric analysis of two age-specific questionnaires for the assessment of Otitis Media with Effusion-specific behavior in young children, intended for use in case-finding. In total, 172 children ages 12 to 24 mo. and 121 children ages 24 to 48 mo. were available initially. Caregivers completed the questionnaires on two occasions before tympanostomy tube insertion and once 6 wk. later. Factor analysis of a matrix for 30 items yielded four factors for the younger age group and six factors for a 33-item matrix for the older age group, showing more differentiation of factors in terms of developmental specificity for behavior related to Otitis Media with Effusion. The total internal consistency was .82, and each factor measured different aspects of disease-specific behavior (alpha < or = 0.25) in both questionnaires. Sensitivity to change seemed promising and was significant for the age group 12 to 24 mo. Research with revised questionnaires is recommended, in an ongoing validation process, to create optimal developmental conditions for children with chronic or persistent Otitis Media with Effusion.