Validation study of a nonspecific psychological distress scale

Abstract

These data confirm that like other psychological distress scales, the PDMMS is not a diagnostic tool. Rather, it is designed to explore comorbidity among symptoms, independent of caseness. The prevalence of psychological distress in the population allows us to identify people who have subclinical symptoms substantial enough to precipitate dysfunctioning in everyday life and who utilize health services more frequently. The use of this tool for epidemiological surveys is useful for mental health service planning because it provides information on the needs of individuals whose state of mental health affects social functioning even though they do not suffer from pathology.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms, dopamine D2 and D4 receptors, family socioeconomic status and social support in adolescence and young adulthood

“…Previous research suggests the importance of studying subthreshold symptoms, as there is a significant longitudinal association between subthreshold levels of distress and the later onset of major depressive disorder (Horwath et al, 1992;Pine et al, 1999;Lewinsohn et al, 2000;Georgades et al, 2006). Furthermore, subthreshold levels of distress have been found to precipitate significant dysfunctioning in everyday life, substance use disorders, and the frequent utilization of health care services (Lewinsohn et al, 2000;Poulin et al, 2005).…”

Social Interactions at Work and Psychological Health: The Role of Leader–Member Exchange and Work Group Integration1

“…These measures were developed and validated in a francophone Canadian setting. The psychological distress measure was further validated by Poulin, Lemoine, Poirier, and Lambert (2005). A 25‐item scale measures subjective well‐being (e.g., “I had the impression of really enjoying and living life to the fullest”).…”

Days out of role in university students: The association of demographics, binge drinking, and psychological risk factors

“…Psychological distress (PD) : This was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10; Kessler et al., ). This scale was used to measure how frequently participants experienced symptoms of non‐specific psychological distress, incorporating symptoms linked to anxiety and depression (Poulin, Lemoine, Leo‐Roch, & Lambert, ). Participants were asked to indicate how often, in the past 30 days, they had experienced the 10 items which corresponded to an expression of distress: pessimism towards the future, anguish and stress, self‐depreciation, social withdrawal, and somatisation (Masseé, ).…”

“…Participants were asked to indicate how often, in the past 30 days, they had experienced the 10 items which corresponded to an expression of distress: pessimism towards the future, anguish and stress, self‐depreciation, social withdrawal, and somatisation (Masseé, ). This scale also incorporates symptoms that are linked to depression and anxiety (Poulin et al., ). Responses were given using a five‐category scale ranging from ‘all of the time' (5) to ‘none of the time' (1).…”