title: The German Version of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) --factorial structure, psychometric properties, and population-based norms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) has often been used in cross-cultural settings and in studies focussing on asylum seekers, refugees etc. It is available in a number of languages. The present study investigates the psychometric properties of the German version of the HSCL-25 and delivers population-based norms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychometric properties are investigated in a population-based representative sample of the German general population (N=2516). Seven different factorial models are compared using confirmatory factor analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two out of the seven models show the best model fit. Because of the high inter-correlations of the factors of the tripartite model, the bifactor model is the preferable factor solution. The internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha) were 0.84, 0.92, and 0.94 for the anxiety, the depression and the total score, respectively. The correlations of both subscales of this model with the subscales of the Brief-Symptom-Inventory-18 or the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 point out, that there is only marginal differential information of the subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the third ("general") factor of the bifactor model with all items loading on it and the absence of differential correlations of the subscales with the external criteria (PHQ-4, BSI-18) the HSCL-25 seems to assess something like "mental distress" with a focus on symptoms of depression and anxiety. The population-based norms support the application of the HSCL-25 for individual diagnostics as well as for the comparison of specific samples with the general population.
authors.affiliation: University of Leipzig, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology. Electronic address: heide.glaesmer@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Heide
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Glaesmer
authors.affiliation: University of Leipzig, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braehler
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences.
authors.forename: Gesine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: University of Leipzig, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinz
authors.affiliation: Centre of Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University Bremen.
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petermann
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romppel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D057189:Checklist; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult