1. Psychometric properties of an interviewer-administered version of the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) among Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish respondents.
- Author
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FASSAERT, T., DE WIT, M. A. S., TUINEBREIJER, W. C., WOUTERS, H., VERHOEFF, A. P., BEEKMAN, A. T. F., and DEKKER, J.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL stress , *ANXIETY , *PSYCHOMETRICS - Abstract
The Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) is an instrument that is widely used to screen for mental disorders, but information is lacking on its psychometric qualities in non-Western samples. This study used a population-based sample (N = 725) to assess the reliability and validity of the K10 across ethnic groups in an urban area. The results were generally supportive of the K10 as a reliable and valid instrument to screen for anxiety and depression in all three groups. Cronbach's alpha was high (0.93) and the results indicated the existence of a solid single factor structure. Item bias in relation to ethnic background was minor. In each group, there was good criterion validity with respect to one-month DSM-IV diagnosis for depressive and/or anxiety disorder. The results nevertheless highlight the importance of cross-cultural validation, as we found different cut-off values for ethnic subgroups to obtain optimal sensitivity and specificity for detecting depressive and/or anxiety disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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