Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire in the Korean General Adult Population.
10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.4.178
- Author:
Jong Ik PARK
1
;
Young Ju KIM
;
Maeng Je CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
GHQ-12;
Factor analysis;
Psychological distress
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Axis, Cervical Vertebra;
Censuses;
Depression;
Factor Analysis, Statistical;
Humans;
Male;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Weights and Measures
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2012;51(4):178-184
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) has been used extensively in a variety of settings across countries. The objectives of this study were to test the factor structure and internal consistency of the GHQ-12 in the Korean general population and to test relationships among the scales, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the EuroQoL-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D). METHODS: Data were acquired from a sample of 6,510 Koreans, aged 18 to 64 years old, who were randomly selected based on the 2005 census (2,581 men and 3,929 women). Participants completed the GHQ-12, the CES-D, and the EQ-5D. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for extraction of factor structures of the GHQ-12. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for assessment of internal consistency. Finally, correlation analysis was performed for assessment of the relationships among the three instruments. RESULTS: Results of principal axis factoring with oblique rotation solution showed that the GHQ-12 was a measure of psychological distress with a two-factor structure that jointly accounted for 38% of the variance. The internal consistency of the GHQ-12 was high (Cronbach's alpha=0.79). Concurrent validity indicated a significant positive correlation with the CES-D (r=0.68, p<0.01) and a significant negative correlation with the EQ-5D(r=-0.36, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Findings of this study demonstrated that the Korean version of the GHQ-12 has a two-factor structure and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used for measurement of psychological distress in Korean adults.
