Factor Analysis

The theoretically motivated three-factor model from the original German validation fit poorly. Exploratory factor analysis found three factors that accounted for 39.8% of total variance. Items are retained when factor loading and communality are each at least 0.40. No clear conceptual mapping to theoretical health literacy domains was found. Cross-cultural equivalence across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is tested with multi-group CFA. Exploratory factor analysis uses Promax rotation because the self-care factors are assumed to be correlated. The pilot study investigates the questionnaire's latent factor structure with approximately 30 items and 300 partners. Confirmatory factor analysis is conducted with about 20 final items and 400 new partners. The authors recommend scoring the HLS-Child-Q15-EN as one composite scale rather than using subscale scores.