Reliability, Validity and Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire among General Population

Authors

  • Miodraga Stefanovska Petkovska University American College, Skopje
  • Marjan I. Bojadziev University American College, Skopje
  • Vesna Velikj Stefanovska Institute of Epidemiology and Biostatistics with Medical Informatics, Medical Faculty, Ss Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, Skopje

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2015.075

Keywords:

General Health Questionnaire, factor structure, reliability, psychological health

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the study is to analyze the internal consistency; validity and factor structure of the twelve item General Health Questionnaire for the Macedonian general population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data came from nationally representative sample of 1603 randomly selected Macedonians all aged 18 years or older.

RESULTS: The mean GHQ score in the general sample was found to be 7.9 (SD = 4.3). The results revealed a higher GHQ score among women (M = 8.91, SD = 4.5) compared to men (M = 6.89; SD = 4.2). The participants from the rural areas obtained a lower GHQ score (M = 7.55, SD = 3.8) compared to participants coming from the urban areas (M = 9.37, SD = 4.1). The principal component analysis with oblique rotation (direct oblimin) with maximum likelihood procedure solution was performed and the results yielded a three factor solution which jointly accounted for 57.17% of the total variance: Factor I named social management (items 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8); Factor II stress (items 2, 5 and 9) and Factor III named self-confidence (items 10, 11 and 12). Its factor structure is in line with representative research from other population groups.

CONCLUSION: The GHQ-12 can be used effectively for assessment of the overall psychological well-being and detection of non-psychotic psychiatric problems among the Macedonian population.

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Published

2015-06-25

How to Cite

1.
Stefanovska Petkovska M, Bojadziev MI, Velikj Stefanovska V. Reliability, Validity and Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire among General Population. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2015 Jun. 25 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];3(3):478-83. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2015.075

Issue

Section

E - Public Health

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