Severity of Psychiatric Disorder and the 30-Item General Health Questionnaire

1979 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 609-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Finlay-Jones ◽  
Elaine Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
False Negatives ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Threshold Score ◽  
Adverse Life Event ◽  
Chronic Disorders ◽  
State Examination

SummaryThe 30-item General Health Questionnaire misclassified 26 per cent of respondents in two samples of women who were interviewed by a psychiatrist using the Present State Examination. False negatives were likely to be women with chronic disorders, particularly anxiety states. False positives were likely to be distressed by severe physical illness, a recent adverse life event, or loneliness. Applying a higher threshold score to their GHQ, responses would help to separate those with a diagnosable psychiatric disorder from those in states of distress.

The Prevalence of Chronic Psychiatric Morbidity

1985 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Stanley ◽  
Andrew J. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
False Negatives ◽  
Community Screening ◽  
Chronic Disorders ◽  
Screening Device

SummarySeveral studies have commented upon the false negatives which can result when the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is employed as a community screening device for psychological distress. It would appear that some false negatives are the result of individual or cultural factors, whilst others result from the phrasing of the GHQ questions, which may mislead patients suffering from chronic disorders. This paper reports the use of additional questions, designed to detect such chronicity.

The Validity of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire in Australia: A Comparison Between Three Scoring Methods

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Donath
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Scoring Methods ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Threshold Score

Objective: To investigate the specificity and sensitivity of three different scoring methods of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and hence to determine the best GHQ-12 threshold score for the detection of mental illness in community settings in Australia. Method: Secondary data analysis of the 1997 Australian National Survey of Health and Wellbeing (n = 10 641), using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview as the gold standard for diagnosis of mental illness. Results: The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for the C-GHQ scoring method was 0.84 (95% CI = 0.83–0.86) compared with the area for the standard scoring method of 0.78 (95% CI = 0.76–0.80). The best threshold with C-GHQ was 3/4, with sensitivity 82.9% (95% CI = 80.2–85.5%) and specificity 69.0% (95% CI = 68.6–69.4%). The best threshold score with the standard scoring method was 0/1, with sensitivity 75.4% (95% CI = 72.5–78.4%) and specificity 69.9% (95% CI = 69.5–70.3%). These were also the best thresholds for a subsample of the population who had consulted a health practitioner in the previous 4 weeks. Conclusion: In the Australian setting, the C-GHQ scoring method is preferable to the standard method of scoring the GHQ-12. In Australia the GHQ-12 appears to be a less useful instrument for detecting mental illness than in many other countries.

Validation of the 30-item General Health Questionnaire in postpartum women

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. N. Nott ◽  
S. Cutts
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Slight Modification ◽  
Screening Instrument ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
General Practices ◽  
At Home

SynopsisTwo hundred consecutive women from five Southampton general practices who were between 8 and 14 weeks postpartum were visited at home. Each subject was given the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and a standardized psychiatric interview. Thirty-seven (18%) were identified as ‘cases’ by the psychiatric interview. Eighty-nine (44.5%) scored highly on the GHQ. Analysis of the results indicates that slight modification of the content and a raised cut-off point of the GHQ-30 make it a useful screening instrument for postpartum psychiatric disorder.

Validation of the General Health Questionnaire in a young community sample

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Banks
Keyword(s):  
General Health ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Relative Independence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Misclassification Rates ◽  
State Examination

SYNOPSISValidity coefficients of the 30-item, 28-item and 12-item versions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were determined by comparison with the Present State Examination (PSE) in a sample of 200 17-year-olds. The PSE classified 7 people (3·5%) as cases, although only 47% were identified as free of symptoms. Misclassification rates, sensitivity and specificity values are presented for different cutting scores for the three versions of the GHQ. The GHQ-28 had superior values, especially with a cutting score of 5/6; the GHQ-12 with a 2/3 cutting score also had acceptable values. All versions of the GHQ correlated highly with the PSE Index of Definition and total scores, providing support for the treatment of GHQ scores as a continuous variable in this kind of population. Correlations between sub-scales of the GHQ-28 give further evidence for a general factor and the relative independence of the social dysfunction sub-scale.

Social factors and minor psychiatric disorder in middle-aged men: a validation study and a population survey

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Stansfeld ◽  
J. E. J. Gallacher ◽  
D. S. Sharp ◽  
J. W. G. Yarnell
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
General Health ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Married Men

SYNOPSISA cross-sectional survey of minor psychiatric disorder is reported in a representative community sample of 2204 men between the ages of 45 years and 64 years living in Caerphilly, South Wales. Minor psychiatric disorder was measured by the 30-item General Health Questionnaire and validated by the Clinical Interview Schedule in a consecutive sample of 97 men, weighted to provide one-third cases, two-thirds non-cases. A case threshold of 4/5 on the General Health Questionnaire was chosen on the basis of ‘ROC’ analysis. An overall estimated ‘true’ prevalence rate for minor psychiatric disorder of 22·0% was found, with 22·3% of men scoring 5 or more on the General Health Questionnaire. Rates of minor psychiatric disorder were higher in widowed and divorced men than in married men but were also, unexpectedly, lower in single as opposed to married men. There was no social-class gradient in minor psychiatric morbidity but a lower rate in Social Class III NM may be largely explained by lower unemployment rates. There were markedly higher rates of minor psychiatric morbidity in unemployed men and those who retired ill. Men with no available social contacts had higher rates of morbidity than men with some or high social contacts.

Emotional Disturbances in Endocrine Patients

1988 ◽  
Vol 152 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lobo ◽  
Maria-Jesús Pérez-Echeverría ◽  
Antonio Jiménez-Aznárez ◽  
Maria-Antonia Sancho
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
General Health ◽  
Type I Diabetes ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Emotional Disturbances ◽  
Type I ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Additional Information

The 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) has been validated against the criterion of the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS) in Spanish patients in hospital with several types of endocrinological illnesses. The screening instrument correctly identified 91 of 100 respondents as exhibiting psychiatric disorder. The questionnaire's efficacy was similar at the time of medical discharge, when the rate of disorder was significantly lower. Significant correlations were found between GHQ total scores and endocrine blood measures in Addison's disease, and in Type I diabetes. The four subscales of the GHQ sum to provide additional information concerning somatic symptoms and anxiety.

Non-Psychotic Psychiatric Disorder After Childbirth

1988 ◽  
Vol 152 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Cooper ◽  
Elizabeth A. Campbell ◽  
Ann Day ◽  
Helen Kennerley ◽  
Alison Bond
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
General Population Sample ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Disturbance ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Psychiatric State ◽  
State Examination

The psychiatric state of 483 women was examined antenatally and at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Comprehensive assessments were made of all women antenatally and of subgroups of the full sample postnatally. Psychiatric state was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire, the Present State Examination and the Montgomery and åsberg Depression Rating Scale. In terms of PSE criteria, the point prevalence of non-psychotic psychiatric disorder antenatally was found to be 6.0%; and postnatally it was estimated to be 8.7% at 3 months, 8.8% at 6 months and 5.2% at 12 months after delivery. These prevalence rates were compared to the rate in a general population sample of non-puerperal women and found to be no greater. In a subgroup of the full sample, the incidence of psychiatric disorder in the year following delivery was estimated to be 15.1%, which is close to a figure previously reported for women in the community. The onset of psychiatric disturbance was soon after delivery in most instances; and, for the majority, the episode of disturbance lasted for 3 months or less. The distribution of PSE Catego classes and syndromes among the antenatal and postnatal samples were found to be similar to those in the non-puerperal comparison sample. Thus, the prevalence, incidence, and nature of non-psychotic psychiatric disorder in the 12 months following delivery do not appear to distinguish it from such disorders arising at other times.

scholarly journals Teenage Pregnancy: Doubts, Uncertainties and Psychiatric Disturbance

1991 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 723-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Maskey
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Psychiatric Disturbance ◽  
Control Scale ◽  
Attitude Scales

Fifty-two pregnant teenagers were assessed at ‘booking’ using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28), a locus of control scale, and five visual analogue ‘attitude scales’. Thirty-eight were in the antenatal and 14 in the termination clinic. One quarter had probable psychiatric disorder on the GHQ. The GHQ scores correlated significantly with indecision about the planned outcome of pregnancy (whether termination or full term). Locus of control correlated with the Depression scale of the GHQ but not with attitude to pregnancy or choice of termination or delivery. Clinic staff should be alert to the psychiatric risks when seeing teenagers who have marked doubts about their plans when pregnant.

Psychiatric Effects of Alternate Day Steroid Therapy

1981 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Cordess ◽  
Marshal Folstein ◽  
Daniel Drachman
Keyword(s):  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Present State ◽  
Steroid Therapy ◽  
General Health ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Emotional Disorder ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
State Examination

SummaryThe prevalence of emotional disorder in a total of 72 patients suffering from myasthenia gravis or from peripheral neuromuscular disorders was assessed, using the General Health Questionnaire and Present State Examination.Approximately half the patients were being treated with an alternate day regime of prednisone, receiving high dosage one day and low the next. Emotional disorder was found to be less prevalent among these patients than among patients not on steroids. The significance of the finding is discussed.

The Interval General Health Questionnaire and its Relationship with Psychiatric Disorder in Community and General Practice Samples

1990 ◽  
Vol 157 (5) ◽  
pp. 686-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Surtees ◽  
M. Tansella
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
General Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Diagnostic Significance ◽  
Formal Assessment ◽  
Summary Measures ◽  
Criterion Approach

This paper contrasts the usual scoring of the GHQ-30 with scoring based upon a criterion approach applied to only 12 of the GHQ items that takes account of the ‘diagnostic significance’ of the chosen items. Repeat assessments with this shorter form of the questionnaire (the l-GHQ), coupled with procedures to assess change, can be used to provide summary measures of symptom course in those research situations where available interview time precludes the use of more formal assessment methods.

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