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Multiple applications of the GHQ-12 in a general population sample: an investigation of long-term retest effects

Pevalin, D. J.·2000·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Abstract

Background Previous studies have indicated that the 60-, 30-, 28- and 12-item versions of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) are liable to retest effects, especially when administered multiple times with short intervals. The aim of this study was to examine data from a large general population sample for evidence of any retest effects over 7 yearly applications.Methods A core panel was drawn from the British Household Panel Survey of those respondents who had completed the GHQ-12 seven times from 1991 to 1997 (n = 4749). The panel results were compared with cross-sectional data from the Health Surveys for England for the same years. The analyses were conducted separately for males and females broken down by age groupings.Results No evidence of retest effects was found. For males, the panel results did not diverge significantly from the cross-sectional results. For females, the panel results did indicate a divergence from the cross-sectional results, but this was due to the age composition of the panel and differing age trajectories.Conclusion The GHQ-12 is a consistent and reliable instrument when used in general population samples with relatively long intervals between applications.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s001270050272

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Authors
Pevalin, D. J.
Affiliations
University of Essex (GB)
Corresponding author
Pevalin, D. J.
Venue
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published
2000-12-13
Volume
35
Issue
11
Pages
508-512
ISSN
  • 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
  • 1433-9285
OpenAlex
W2019521579
Cited by
275
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 18
FWCI
9.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Open Access at Essex (University of Essex) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
Keywords
GHQ-12, General Health Questionnaire, retest effects, repeated measures, general population mental health, British Household Panel Survey, sex differences, age differences, age trajectories
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Mental Disorders, England, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Reproducibility of Results, Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic, Case-Control Studies

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