scholarly journals Assessing measurement equivalence of the Danish and Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire using differential item and test functioning analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482094207
Author(s):  
Berend Terluin ◽  
Andreas Hoff ◽  
Lene Falgaard Eplov
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Measurement Equivalence ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Symptom Questionnaire ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Essential Unidimensionality

Aims: The Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) measures distress, depression, anxiety and somatisation, facilitating the distinction between stress-related problems and psychiatric disorder in primary and occupational health care. The aim of the study was to examine the measurement equivalence across the Danish and Dutch 4DSQ. Methods: Danish 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Danish citizens on sick leave for mental-health problems. Dutch 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Dutch employees on sick leave and a cohort of general practice attenders suspected of having mental-health problems. The study samples were matched on age and sex. The 4DSQ scales were assessed for essential unidimensionality using confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement equivalence of the 4DSQ across the groups was assessed using differential item and test functioning (DIF and DTF) analysis. Results: The study groups each consisted of 1363 people (63% female, Mage=42 years). The 4DSQ scales proved essentially unidimensional. DIF was detected in 20 items. In terms of Cohen’s effect size, DIF was mostly small or moderate. In terms of effect size, the mean effect on the scale score (DTF) was negligible. Nevertheless, it is recommended to adjust some of the cut-off points for two Danish 4DSQ scales to retain the meaning of these cut-off points in Dutch respondents. Conclusions: The Danish version of the 4DSQ measures the same constructs as the original Dutch questionnaire. Twenty items functioned differently in Danish respondents than in Dutch respondents, but this had only a small impact on the scale scores.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Work Environment and Certified Sick Leave among Nurses during Organizational Changes and Downsizing

2006 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Bourbonnais ◽  
Chantal Brisson ◽  
Michel Vézina ◽  
Benoît Masse ◽  
Caty Blanchette
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Work Factors ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Psychosocial Work ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Work Factors

The study aimed to determine whether the incidence and duration of certified sick leave (CSL) among nurses had increased during major restructuring of the health care system in the province of Québec, and to determine whether nurses exposed to adverse psychosocial factors at work showed an increased incidence of CSL. It involved nurses working in 13 health facilities. Sickness absence data were retrieved from administrative files (n = 1454). Incidence of CSL for all diagnoses and for mental health problems was examined. Telephone interviews were conducted to measure psychosocial factors at work with validated instruments. There was an increase in CSL among nurses during the restructuring, particularly for mental health problems. Modifiable adverse psychosocial work factors were identified and provide basis for interventions. Since human resources are the mainstay and primary resource of the health network, it is essential that people be able to perform their work under optimal conditions.

scholarly journals Recurring pain, mental health problems and sick leave in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 100025
Author(s):  
Tea Lallukka ◽  
Aapo Hiilamo ◽  
Mark Wooden ◽  
Nick Glozier ◽  
Nathaniel Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems

scholarly journals Applying Computerized Adaptive Testing to the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ): A Simulation Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Magnée ◽  
Derek P de Beurs ◽  
Berend Terluin ◽  
Peter F Verhaak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Simulation Study ◽  
Computerized Adaptive Testing ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adaptive Testing ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Measurement Precision ◽  
Stopping Rule ◽  
Symptom Questionnaire

Background Efficient screening questionnaires are useful in general practice. Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a method to improve the efficiency of questionnaires, as only the items that are particularly informative for a certain responder are dynamically selected. Objective The objective of this study was to test whether CAT could improve the efficiency of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ), a frequently used self-report questionnaire designed to assess common psychosocial problems in general practice. Methods A simulation study was conducted using a sample of Dutch patients visiting a general practitioner (GP) with psychological problems (n=379). Responders completed a paper-and-pencil version of the 50-item 4DSQ and a psychometric evaluation was performed to check if the data agreed with item response theory (IRT) assumptions. Next, a CAT simulation was performed for each of the four 4DSQ scales (distress, depression, anxiety, and somatization), based on the given responses as if they had been collected through CAT. The following two stopping rules were applied for the administration of items: (1) stop if measurement precision is below a predefined level, or (2) stop if more than half of the items of the subscale are administered. Results In general, the items of each of the four scales agreed with IRT assumptions. Application of the first stopping rule reduced the length of the questionnaire by 38% (from 50 to 31 items on average). When the second stopping rule was also applied, the total number of items could be reduced by 56% (from 50 to 22 items on average). Conclusions CAT seems useful for improving the efficiency of the 4DSQ by 56% without losing a considerable amount of measurement precision. The CAT version of the 4DSQ may be useful as part of an online assessment to investigate the severity of mental health problems of patients visiting a GP. This simulation study is the first step needed for the development a CAT version of the 4DSQ. A CAT version of the 4DSQ could be of high value for Dutch GPs since increasing numbers of patients with mental health problems are visiting the general practice. In further research, the results of a real-time CAT should be compared with the results of the administration of the full scale.

Intergenerational Effect of Maternal Childhood Maltreatment on Next Generation’s Vulnerability to Psychopathology: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802093387
Author(s):  
Yingying Su ◽  
Carl D’Arcy ◽  
Xiangfei Meng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Intergenerational Effect

Many studies have identified the multiple negative consequences of childhood maltreatment on subsequent mental health. However, research on the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment has not been systematically synthesized. This meta-analysis aimed to provide a quantitative estimate of the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on their offspring’s psychopathology. Electronic databases and gray literature were searched for English-language prospective cohort studies. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. This review only included those studies with (1) maternal childhood maltreatment occurring prior to 18 years of age, (2) using a clear and reliable assessment for maltreatment exposure and offspring’s mental health problems prior to age 18. Random-effect models were used to calculate the pooled effect size of maternal childhood maltreatment on offspring’s psychopathology, and meta-regression was used to explore potential confounders. Twelve studies met eligibility criteria. Significant heterogeneity was found across selected studies. Maternal childhood maltreatment was found to have a small but significant effect on the offspring’s depression and internalizing behaviors ( r = .14, 95% confidence interval [.09, .19]). Two moderators were found, maternal depression and ethnicity. Maternal depression reduced the effect size of maternal maltreatment on offspring’s depression and internalizing disorders. The offspring of non-Caucasian mothers who had a history of childhood maltreatment faced a higher risk of mental health problems. There was no evidence of publication bias. This review provides robust evidence to reinforce the need for policies to reduce its occurrence, as it can influence not just one but two or possibly more generations.

The four-dimensional symptom questionnaire (4DSQ): measuring distress and other mental health problems in a working population

Work & Stress ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berend Terluin * ◽  
Willem Van Rhenen ◽  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli ◽  
Marten De Haan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Working Population ◽  
Symptom Questionnaire

scholarly journals Identifying return to work trajectories among employees on sick leave due to mental health problems using latent class transition analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e032016
Author(s):  
Maitta Spronken ◽  
Evelien P M Brouwers ◽  
Jeroen K Vermunt ◽  
Iris Arends ◽  
Wido G M Oerlemans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Large Individual ◽  
Work Characteristics ◽  
Transition Analysis

ObjectivesTo develop effective return to work (RTW) interventions for employees on sick leave due to mental health problems (MHPs), a better understanding of individual variation in the RTW process is needed. We investigated which RTW trajectories can be identified among employees with MHPs in terms of RTW duration and relapse occurrence during the RTW process. Additionally, we examined how different RTW trajectories can be described in terms of personal and work characteristics.MethodsLongitudinal sickness absence registry data were collected retrospectively from the largest Dutch occupational health service. Quantitative RTW information as well as personal and work characteristics were extracted. In total, 9517 employees with a sickness absence due to MHPs were included in the analyses (62 938 data points; RTW durations from 29 to 730 days).ResultsA latent class transition analysis revealed five distinct RTW trajectories, namely (1) fast RTW with little chance of relapse, (2) slow RTW with little chance of relapse, (3) fast RTW with considerable chance of relapse, (4) slow RTW with considerable chance of relapse and (5) very fast RTW with very small chance of relapse. Differences between employees in the slower and faster trajectories were observed regarding gender, age, type of MHP, organisation sector and organisation size but not regarding part-time work.ConclusionsRTW trajectories among employees with MHPs showed large individual variability and differed on personal and work characteristics. Knowledge on different RTW trajectories and their characteristics contributes to the development of personalised RTW treatments, tailored to specific individuals and organisations.

scholarly journals Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3379
Author(s):  
Annika Lexén ◽  
Ida Kåhlin ◽  
Lena-Karin Erlandsson ◽  
Carita Håkansson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Job Turnover ◽  
Web Survey ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Work Related

The Swedish public sector is facing great challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, due to increasing sick leave numbers. The aim of this study was to describe Swedish occupational therapists’ occupational health in terms of risk factors in the social and organizational work environment, occupational balance, and work-related mental health problems. A web survey was emailed to all working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 7600) and 3658 answered the survey. The web survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social and organizational environment, occupational balance, and work-related health. The occupational therapists in general rated their workload as high, which was described as leading to increased stress, difficulties doing a good job, and increased job turnover. They also reported having difficulties maintaining occupational balance. Almost a fifth reported having symptoms related to mild incipient exhaustion or a pronounced exhaustion disorder. Almost 60 percent reported having, during the last year, seriously considered seeking new employment as an occupational therapist and 35 percent had seriously intended to leave their profession. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to improve the work situation of occupational therapists. If not, increases in mental health problems, sick leave and job turnover rates may seriously jeopardize the welfare system by eroding healthcare.

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