한국판 일반 건강 설문지의 요인 구조

Factor Structure of the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire in the Korean General Adult Population

ObjectivesZZThe 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) has been used extensively in a variety of settings across countries. The objectives of this study were to test the factor structure and internal consistency of the GHQ-12 in the Korean general population and to test relationships among the scales, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the EuroQoL-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D). MethodsZZData were acquired from a sample of 6,510 Koreans, aged 18 to 64 years old, who were randomly selected based on the 2005 census (2,581 men and 3,929 women). Participants completed the GHQ-12, the CES-D, and the EQ-5D. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for extraction of factor structures of the GHQ-12. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for assessment of internal consistency. Finally, correlation analysis was performed for assessment of the relationships among the three instruments. ResultsZZResults of principal axis factoring with oblique rotation solution showed that the GHQ-12 was a measure of psychological distress with a two-factor structure that jointly accounted for 38% of the variance. The internal consistency of the GHQ-12 was high (Cronbach’s α=0.79). Concurrent validity indicated a significant positive correlation with the CES-D (r=0.68, p<0.01) and a significant negative correlation with the EQ-5D(r=-0.36, p<0.01). ConclusionZZFindings of this study demonstrated that the Korean version of the GHQ-12 has a two-factor structure and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used for measurement of psychological distress in Korean adults