Why the factorial structure of the SCL-90-R is unstable: comparing patient groups with different levels of psychological distress using Mokken Scale Analysis.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Why the factorial structure of the SCL-90-R is unstable: comparing patient groups with different levels of psychological distress using Mokken Scale Analysis.

AU - Paap, Muirne C S

AU - Meijer, Rob R

AU - Cohen-Kettenis, Peggy T

AU - Richter-Appelt, Hertha

AU - de Cuypere, Griet

AU - Kreukels, Baudewijntje P C

AU - Pedersen, Geir

AU - Karterud, Sigmund

AU - Malt, Ulrik F

AU - Haraldsen, Ira R

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Since its introduction, there has been a debate about the validity of the factorial structure of the SCL-90-R. In this study we investigate whether the lack of agreement with respect to the dimensionality can be partly explained by important variables that might differ between samples such as level of psychological distress, the variance of the SCL-90-R scores and sex. Three samples were included: a sample of severely psychiatrically disturbed patients (n=3078), a sample of persons with Gender Incongruence (GI; n=410) and a sample of depressed patients (n=223). A unidimensional pattern of findings were found for the GI sample. For the severely disturbed and depressed sample, a multidimensional pattern was found. In the depressed sample sex differences were found in dimensionality: we found a unidimensional pattern for the females, and a multidimensional one for the males. Our analyses suggest that previously reported conflicting findings with regard to the dimensional structure of the SCL-90-R may be due to at least two factors: (a) level of self-reported distress, and (b) sex. Subscale scores should be used with care in patient groups with low self-reported level of distress.

AB - Since its introduction, there has been a debate about the validity of the factorial structure of the SCL-90-R. In this study we investigate whether the lack of agreement with respect to the dimensionality can be partly explained by important variables that might differ between samples such as level of psychological distress, the variance of the SCL-90-R scores and sex. Three samples were included: a sample of severely psychiatrically disturbed patients (n=3078), a sample of persons with Gender Incongruence (GI; n=410) and a sample of depressed patients (n=223). A unidimensional pattern of findings were found for the GI sample. For the severely disturbed and depressed sample, a multidimensional pattern was found. In the depressed sample sex differences were found in dimensionality: we found a unidimensional pattern for the females, and a multidimensional one for the males. Our analyses suggest that previously reported conflicting findings with regard to the dimensional structure of the SCL-90-R may be due to at least two factors: (a) level of self-reported distress, and (b) sex. Subscale scores should be used with care in patient groups with low self-reported level of distress.

KW - Adult

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Female

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Factor Analysis, Statistical

KW - Self Report

KW - Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data

KW - Psychometrics/statistics & numerical data

KW - Stress, Psychological/diagnosis/psychology

KW - Adult

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Female

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Factor Analysis, Statistical

KW - Self Report

KW - Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data

KW - Psychometrics/statistics & numerical data

KW - Stress, Psychological/diagnosis/psychology

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 200

SP - 819

EP - 826

JO - PSYCHIAT RES

JF - PSYCHIAT RES

SN - 0165-1781

IS - 2-3

M1 - 2-3

ER -