Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (신경정신의학)
- Volume 51 Issue 4
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- Pages.178-184
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- 2012
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- 1015-4817(pISSN)
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- 2289-0963(eISSN)
Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire in the Korean General Adult Population
한국판 일반 건강 설문지의 요인 구조
- Park, Jong-Ik (Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University School of Medicine) ;
- Kim, Young-Ju (Department of Psychiatry, Kangwon National University School of Medicine) ;
- Cho, Maeng-Je (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
- Received : 2012.03.04
- Accepted : 2012.05.18
- Published : 2012.07.31
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 α=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.