Validity of the GHQ-28 in New Zealand women.
The GHQ-28 was validated against the short PSE in a New Zealand community study of female psychiatric morbidity. The GHQ-28 total scores were significantly correlated with the PSE scores. Higher coefficients were obtained using the scoring method of Goodchild and Duncan-Jones than with the standard scoring method. In this data set, the 3/4 cutoff had the best sensitivity and specificity. The correlations of the GHQ-28 subscales with ICD diagnostic classes and ad hoc PSE sub-scores were also statistically significant. Because the distribution of the GHQ-28 scores is positively skewed, non-parametric statistics may be preferable to the traditional Pearson's correlation coefficient. Overall, the results from this study confirm the GHQ-28 to be a valid and practical screen for presence or absence of psychiatric disorder in New Zealand women.
Romans-Clarkson
S E
SE
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Medical School.
Walton
V A
VA
Herbison
G P
GP
Mullen
P E
PE
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis