Evaluation of the SCL-9S, a short version of the symptom checklist-90-R, on psychiatric patients in Sweden by using Rasch analysis. (1st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lundqvist, Lars-Olov; Schröder, Agneta
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of psychiatry. Volume 75:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 538
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2021-10-01
• Subjects: SCL-90-R -- psychometric evaluation -- Rasch analysis -- psychiatry -- psychological distress; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1901988
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-9488

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: This study evaluates the dimensionality and differential item functioning of SCL-9S, a short version of the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), on patients in psychiatric care. Material and methods: Based on the factor structure of the Swedish standardization and validation of the SCL-90-R, a nine-item index (SCL-9S) was developed consisting of the items most indicative for each of the nine subscales in SCL-90-R. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the SCL-9S on a sample of 668 psychiatric outpatients and 167 inpatients across four Swedish regions. Results: The evaluation revealed that the SCL-9S was unidimensional, the items represented different levels of severity across a general psychological distress dimension, and the scale showed equity (no differential items functioning) across gender and patient groups. Conclusion: The SCL-9S is a fast, structurally valid, and reliable tool for screening general psychological distress among men and women in psychiatric in- and outpatient services, and in combination with other instruments, it will be useful in epidemiological studies.