Volume 23, Issue 3
Psychometric Properties of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in Chilean Female Population
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the internal consistency and factor structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in Chilean women. The research was conducted with 371 women, 18 to 72 years of age. Reliability analysis shows satisfactory results, with a Cronbach alpha of 0.86. Considering the data obtained in the exploratory factor analysis, we selected a three- factor model that included the dimensions of Dysphoria (Anxiety/Depression), Social Dysfunction, and Loss of Confidence. The study results confirm that the GHQ-12 is an effective measure for assessing the psychological and detecting nonpsychotic psychiatric problems in Chilean women.
Keywords
GHQ-12, detection of psychiatric problems, multidimensional model, reliability, internal consistency