| Summary: | Ethnic differential item functioning (DIF) on the QLQ-C30 quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for cancer patients was investigated using item response theory methods. The sample consisted of 359 cancer patients representing four ethnic groups: Caucasian, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Japanese. Results showed the presence of DIF on several items, indicating ethnic differences in the assessment of quality of life. Relative to the Caucasian and Japanese groups, items related to financial difficulties, need for rest, nausea or vomiting, emotional difficulties, and social difficulties, exhibited DIF for Filipinos. On these items Filipinos exhibited lower QoL scores, even though overall QoL was not lower. This evidence may explain why Filipinos have previously been found to have lower overall QoL. Although Filipinos score lower on QoL than other groups, this may not reflect lower QoL, but rather differences in how QoL is defined. Additionally, DIF did not appear to alter the psychometric properties of the QLQ-C30. === Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-48). === Mode of access: World Wide Web. === Also available by subscription via World Wide Web === vi, 48 leaves, bound 29 cm
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