Sf-36 questionnaire

Internationally used questionnaire for recording subjectively health-related quality of life, originally developed in the USA and now also available in German. The adaptation of the SF-36 for Germany was done by Prof. Dr. Monika Bullinger, University of Hamburg, and Dr. Inge Kirchberger, Augsburg.

The questionnaire covers the following factors

• Physical functions (BODY). The extent to which physical activities such as self-care, walking, climbing stairs, bending, lifting and moderately difficult or strenuous activities are impaired by the state of health is recorded.
• Physical role functions (COPE): measures the extent to which the physical state of health impairs work or other daily activities, e.g. creating less than usual, restrictions in the type of activities or difficulties in performing certain activities.
• Physical pain (SCHM): measures the degree of pain and the impact of pain on normal work, both in and out of the home.
• general health perception (AGES): records the personal assessment of health, including current health status, future expectations and resistance to disease.
• mental vitality (VITA): records whether the person feels energetic and full of energy or tired and exhausted.
• social functioning (SOFU): measures the extent to which physical health or emotional problems affect normal social activities.
• emotional role functions (EMRO): describes the extent to which emotional problems interfere with work or other daily activities; including spending less time on activities, creating less and not working as carefully as usual.
• Mental wellbeing (PSYC): measures overall mental health, including depression, anxiety, emotional and behavioural control and overall positive mood.

The SF-36 is suitable for adolescents and adults from 14 years of age and can be used in clinical and epidemiological research. The original can be downloaded from the homepage of the Hogrefe publishing house www.testzentrale.de.