Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Health Promotion Perspectives 2228-6497 8 3 2018 07 07 Designation and psychometric properties of the Short Form Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-PQOL): an application of multidimensional item response theory and genetic algorithm 215 224 10.15171/hpp.2018.29 EN Fariba Nikan Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3284-9749 Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Mojgan Mirghafourvand Journal Article 10.15171/hpp.2018.29 2018 05 05 2018 05 22 Background: Utilizing multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) and genetic algorithm(GA) we aimed to design and test the psychometric properties of the short form Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire (PQOL). Methods: In this methodological study, 500 women aged 18 to 42 were enrolled through multistage random sampling scheme in Tabriz, Iran. We used MIRT model and GA to identify a short form of the 40-item PQOL measure (SF-PQOL). Construct and criterion validity of theSF-PQOL was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the correlation between SFPQOL scores with a 12-item short form of QOL (SF-12) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, respectively. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and feasibility of the measure were evaluated. Results: sixteen- and 13-item SF-PQOL were identified based on MIRT and GA, respectively.The results indicate the better performance of the MIRT based 13-item SF-PQOL; Construct and criterion validity, the test-retest and internal consistency reliability, and the feasibility were confirmed in the MIRT based SF-PQOL, but not in the GA-based SF-PQOL. Conclusion: The MIRT suggests a 13-item SF-PQOL with adequate content which demonstrated satisfactory validity, reliability, and feasibility. SF-PQOL could be used across the population for both research and clinical objectives.