Translation and validation of the Spanish version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD)

Abstract

Introduction: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is a brief instrument that assesses functioning in people with intellectual development disorder and mental health problems/behaviour disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the evidence on the validity of the scores based on the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD.

Material and methods: The study included 111 participants that were assessed by the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD and other questionnaires that measured different variables related to the scale. Thirty-three participants were assessed by 2 examiners, and retested 7 days later, in order to study inter-examiner reliability and test-retest reliabilities.

Results: Based on clinical and conceptual criteria, and on the results of the parallel analysis, a factorial solution with one factor was selected. Internal consistency was good (Omega coefficient of 0.87). Inter-examiner and test-retest reliabilities were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively). Correlations between sections of the HoNOS-LD and the related instruments showed the expected direction, and were highly significant (P<.001), and the HoNOS-LD score increased with the intensity of the support required by the participants. These results showed evidence of the validity of association with other external variables.

Conclusions: The Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD is a brief, valid and reliable instrument, which will enable a routine assessment of functioning for different uses, including diagnosis and intervention.

Keywords: Behaviour disorders; Cuestionarios; Fiabilidad y validez; Intellectual development disorder; Mental disorders; Questionnaires; Reliability and validity; Trastorno del desarrollo intelectual; Trastornos de conducta; Trastornos mentales.