Test-retest reliability of capability measurement in the UK general population

Abstract

Although philosophically attractive, it may be difficult, in practice, to measure individuals' capabilities (what they are able to do in their lives) as opposed to their functionings (what they actually do). To examine whether capability information could be reliably self-reported, we administered a measure of self-reported capability (the Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults, ICECAP-A) on two occasions, 2 weeks apart, alongside a self-reported health measure (the EuroQol Five Dimensional Questionnaire with 3 levels, EQ-5D-3L). We found that respondents were able to report capabilities with a moderate level of consistency, although somewhat less reliably than their health status. The more socially orientated nature of some of the capability questions may account for the difference.