PURPOSE: To determine the extent of differences and similarities in content between heath-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments for children and adolescents. METHODS: A descriptive and explanatory qualitative approach was carried out. Instruments specifically designed for use with children or adolescents were included. To assure the validity of the findings a triangulation of the analysis and "member checking" were performed. RESULTS: Ten questionnaires were analyzed. All of them included items referring to physical, psychological, and social aspects of health. A relatively low number of categories explained the content of the questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: A reasonably coherent notion of HRQOL underlies instruments available for children and adolescents. HRQOL measurement in young people is still in its developmental step.
