Abstract
Purpose
The general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) is a self-report instrument for measuring psychological morbidity. Previous work
has suggested several multidimensional models for this instrument, although it has recently been proposed that these may be
an artefact resulting from a response bias to negatively phrased items. The aim here was to explore the dimensionality of
the GHQ-12.
has suggested several multidimensional models for this instrument, although it has recently been proposed that these may be
an artefact resulting from a response bias to negatively phrased items. The aim here was to explore the dimensionality of
the GHQ-12.
Results
Two categories of respondents were identified: high and low scorers. Item variances were higher across all items for high
scorers and higher for negatively phrased items (for both high and low scorers). The unidimensional model accounting for variance
observed with negative phrasing (Hankins in Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 4:10, 2008) was identified as having the best
model fit across the two time points.
scorers and higher for negatively phrased items (for both high and low scorers). The unidimensional model accounting for variance
observed with negative phrasing (Hankins in Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 4:10, 2008) was identified as having the best
model fit across the two time points.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0133-7
- Authors
- Adam B. Smith, York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, UK
- Yemi Oluboyede, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Robert West, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Jenny Hewison, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Allan O. House, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343