A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate the factor structure and validity of a scaled-down General Health Questionnaire in primary care.
• Developed a 28-item questionnaire with four subscales: somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression.
• Conducted validity assessments of the questionnaire based on results from three independent data sets.
• Evaluated the overall performance of the 28-item GHQ as a screening test.
• The factor structure of symptoms was consistent across the three independent sets of data.
• Preliminary validity data suggest the 28-item GHQ is a reliable screening tool for mental health issues.
• The questionnaire demonstrates effective performance in identifying symptoms of anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression.