title: [Psychometric Evaluation of an Arabic Version of the PHQ-4 Based on a Representative Survey of Syrian Refugees].
abstract: Background:This study addresses the need for methodologically sound, brief screening procedures (e. g., the PHQ-4) which need to be validated for refugees in their native languages.Method:A cohort of Syrian refugees in the state of Lower Saxony was investigated with the PHQ-4 translated into Standard Arabic language by a professional translation bureau. Based on representative data, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders was estimated among refugees. N=864 persons of mainly male sex (68%) answered with a mean age of M=31.5 (SD=9.3 years, ranging from 16 to 93 years).Results:Internal consistency was good (PHQ-2, respectively GAD-2: α=0.76/0.83; women α=0.76/0.83; men: α=0.76/0.83). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed good to excellent fit: RMSEA=0,068 [95%-KI: 0.028, 0.117], TLI=0.971, CFI=0.995. Measurement invariance was demonstrated for sex. The prevalence of depression was 20%, which corresponds to results reported for the German population; generalized anxiety was moderately higher in the Syrian sample (19.3 vs. 15.2%).Discussion:The Arabic version of the PHQ-4 is an ultra-short and valid screening procedure suitable for refugees from Arabic countries. The finding that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was moderate may be due to the sample composition, which comprised predominantly young men. Given the often traumatic circumstances of their flight, additional symptoms beyond the scope of this study (esp. PTSD) can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Sören
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kliem
authors.affiliation: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mößle
authors.affiliation: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Thimna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klatt
authors.affiliation: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.affiliation: Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kudlacek
authors.affiliation: Institut für Psychologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kröger
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz.
authors.forename: Manfred E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Beutel
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013593:Syria / Q000208:ethnology; D014175:Translating; D055815:Young Adult