Quality of life assessment in residents with severe cognitive impairment: psychometric validation of the French translated QUALID scale
Geriatric Nursing. 2026-07-01; 71: 104092
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104092
Corbineau C(1), Etchegoyen C(1), Lloyd S(2), Roubaud-Baudron C(3), Fossaert R(1), Coelho J(4), Salles N(5), Chanteclair A(6).
Author information:
(1)Pôe de Gérontologie Clinique, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France.
(2)Long-Term Care Unit, F-64500, Saint-Jean-De-Luz, France.
(3)Pôe de Gérontologie Clinique, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1312 BRIC, University of Bordeaux, F-33000, Bordeaux,
France.
(4)CNRS, SANPSY, USR 3413, Bordeaux University, F-33000, Bordeaux, France; Sleep
Clinic, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.
(5)Pôe de Gérontologie Clinique, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France; CNRS, SANPSY, USR 3413, Bordeaux University, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France.
(6)Pôe de Gérontologie Clinique, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France; CNRS, SANPSY, USR 3413, Bordeaux University, F-33000,
Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: .
Assessing quality of life (QoL) in individuals with severe neurocognitive
disorders (NCD) is essential, yet challenging, particularly in advanced stages
where self-report is no longer possible. The Quality of Life in Late-Stage
Dementia (QUALID) scale is a widely used proxy-rated instrument, but its French
version (QUALID-FR) has not previously undergone psychometric validation. This
study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the QUALID-FR in
institutionalized older adults with severe NCD. A multicenter cross-sectional
study was conducted in 14 voluntary long-term care facilities in southwestern
France, including 148 residents and 101 nursing staff members. Reliability was
assessed through internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability.
Construct validity was evaluated using a split-sample approach with exploratory
and confirmatory factor analyses. Criterion-related validity was assessed
through associations with neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain scale. The
QUALID-FR demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (McDonald’s ω = 0.79).
Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure reflecting
agitation, well-being and depressive mood, explaining 44% of the variance.
Confirmatory analysis provided satisfying goodness of fit parameters compared
with previously reported models. Significant associations with neuropsychiatric
symptoms (β = 0.42) and pain (β = 0.72) supported criterion-related validity.
The QUALID-FR scale is a valid and clinically relevant instrument for proxy
assessment of QoL in advanced NCD. Its multidimensional structure highlights
potential cultural variations in the organization of QoL domains and supports
its use in both clinical practice and research.
Copyright © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104092
PMID: 42155324
Conflict of interest statement: Declaration of competing interest The authors
declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal
relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this
paper.