Moroccan Arabic adaptation and cross cultural validation of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life short version questionnaire SQoL 18 in individuals with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Assessing quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of the management of chronic diseases such as schizophrenia. However, there is no validated Moroccan specific QoL instrument for schizophrenia patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to adapt and assess psychometric characteristics of The Schizophrenia Quality of life questionnaire (SQoL-18). METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study between May 2022 and October 2022 of 43 patients with schizophrenia attending the psychiatry department at the University hospital Mohamed VI Marrakech, Morocco. The SQoL-18 underwent translation into Moroccan Arabic language via the forward and backward translation method. The resulting version was subsequently evaluated for content validity by a panel of experts including psychiatrists and epidemiologists. Internal consistency analysis was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, while external validity was assessed by examining correlations with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning and WOOQOL-BREF. RESULTS: The Moroccan Arabic version of SQoL-18 was found to have satisfactory content validity. The global Cronbach’s alpha was 0,866 and the specific Cronbach’s alpha for the dimensions of SQoL-18 were satisfactory except for one dimension (Self Esteem dimension). Elevated QoL levels are globally associated with reduced severity levels of schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate satisfactory psychometric properties of the Moroccan Arabic version of SQoL-18.