Psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe 6 item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) is a screening tool for psychological distress with robust psychometric properties; however, information is lacking on such properties of the scale on its Bangla version. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the K6 scale in young people.MethodA self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted between August 2017 and April 2018 among 718 students aged 13-24 years (45% females) from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Psychological distress was assessed using the Bangla K6. The survey was repeated in a week. Statistical software AMOS 25 and Stata SE 14 were used to conduct the analyses.ResultsThe Bangla K6 scale demonstrated an acceptable internal consistency with high Cronbach alpha. Principal component analysis confirmed a single-factor structure of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure of the scale with adequate fit to the survey data. Test-retest reliability was acceptable with good reliability coefficients. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed good prediction of depressive symptoms by the Bangla K6 scores.DiscussionThis study provides an initial support for the Bangla K6 scale as an acceptable instrument to assess psychological distress of Bangla-speaking young people. More research is needed to understand our ability to identify vulnerable individuals, whose native language is Bangla and who are in need of mental health support.

Assessing the Smallest Detectable Change of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Score in an Adult Population in Japan

“… 34 , 35 The Cronbach’s alpha in several countries (Vietnamese [0.86], Arabic [0.81], Bangladeshi [0.87–0.88], Chinese [0.84], and Persian [0.87] versions) was similar. 37 , 38 , 46 , 60 , 61 By contrast, Cronbach’s alpha increases with the number of items on the scale. 43 In fact, previous studies have shown that the Cronbach’s alpha of the K10 (Japanese version = 0.91, Persian version = 0.92) is higher than that of the K6 (Japanese version = 0.85, Persian version = 0.87).…”

“…The ICC of the Bangladesh version is 0.80, which is similar to our results. 60 The test–retest reliability of the K6 scores in other countries, including China and Iran, are also identified. 46 , 61 , 62 However, the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient was used as a measure of test–retest reliability in these countries.…”

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Do interactions between patients’ psychological distress and adherence to dietary recommendation predict glycemic control among persons with type 2 diabetes in Ghana?

“…Patients’ psychological distress was assessed using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K‐10). This scale has five Likert's response, ranging from none of the time to all of the time 23 . Patients who responded none of the time to all items in the Likert's scales were said to have no psychological distress.…”