Psychometric properties of an interviewer‐administered version of the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) among Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish respondents

Abstract

The Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) is an instrument that is widely used to screen for mental disorders, but information is lacking on its psychometric qualities in non-Western samples. This study used a population-based sample (N = 725) to assess the reliability and validity of the K10 across ethnic groups in an urban area. The results were generally supportive of the K10 as a reliable and valid instrument to screen for anxiety and depression in all three groups. Cronbach's alpha was high (0.93) and the results indicated the existence of a solid single factor structure. Item bias in relation to ethnic background was minor. In each group, there was good criterion validity with respect to one-month DSM-IV diagnosis for depressive and/or anxiety disorder. The results nevertheless highlight the importance of cross-cultural validation, as we found different cut-off values for ethnic subgroups to obtain optimal sensitivity and specifi city for detecting depressive and/or anxiety disorders.

Investigating the Factor Structure of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in Community and Clinical Samples of the Australian Population

“…The construct validity of the measure has recently been challenged by Berle et al (2010), who sought to examine two previously reported factor structures in a treatment seeking sample; namely Kessler et al's (2002) single factor model and Brooks et al (2006) four factor model (with two second-order factors). Both structures had previously demonstrated acceptable model fit in large community samples (Brooks et al 2006;Fassaert et al 2009), however Berle et al (2010) found that neither model provided adequate fit to the clinical data, which resulted in the authors concluding that the scoring and interpretation of the scale may need to be revised for such populations depending on the observed structure.…”

Brief internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in older adults: A feasibility trial

“…The K-10 is a 10 item measure of psychological distress, with strong evidence supporting the relationship between the K-10 and a diagnosis of anxiety and depressive disorders (Andrews & Slade, 2001). Psychometric studies indicate that the K-10 has excellent internal consistency, even with ethnically diverse populations (˛ = 0.93, Fassaert et al, 2009). In the present sample Cronbach's alpha was high (˛ = 0.79).…”

A feasibility open trial of guided Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression amongst Arab Australians

“…Sixth, the psychometric properties of many of the measures employed in the current study have not been examined amongst Arab Australians and, consequently, some caution is needed. However, it is important to note that there is evidence of the reliability and validity of the K-10 and PHQ-9, which was employed in the present study, for the Moroccan and Turkish Dutch (Fassaert et al, 2009) and Saudis (Becker et al, 2002), respectively. Future research would benefit from further and broad psychometric examination of these measures in Arab Australians as well as other cultural and ethnic groups more broadly.…”