Swallow, Brian L. and Lindow, S. W. and Masson, E. A. and Hay, D. M. (2003) The use of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to estimate prevalence of psychiatric disorder in early pregnancy. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8 (2). pp. 213-217. ISSN 1354-8506

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Abstract

The use of the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire as a means of determining prevalence of psychiatric disorders in early pregnancy is described. Two hundred and seventy-three women attending their first antenatal appointment completed the instrument. Positive cases identified by both the GHQ scoring method (cut-off score 5/6) and the Likert method (cut-off score 23/24) were compared. Using the GHQ method, 44.3% of the women scored 5 or above; 50.5% scored 4 or above. Using the Likert method, 39.6% scored 24 or above. The GHQ method identified 21 cases undetected by the Likert (17%) and the Likert method identified eight cases undetected by the GHQ (7.4%). The results indicate higher prevalence rates than found in community samples. Pending further research, it is recommended that the GHQ be used with caution in antenatal settings

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The use of the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire as a means of determining prevalence of psychiatric disorders in early pregnancy is described. Two hundred and seventy-three women attending their first antenatal appointment completed the instrument. Positive cases identified by both the GHQ scoring method (cut-off score 5/6) and the Likert method (cut-off score 23/24) were compared. Using the GHQ method, 44.3% of the women scored 5 or above; 50.5% scored 4 or above. Using the Likert method, 39.6% scored 24 or above. The GHQ method identified 21 cases undetected by the Likert (17%) and the Likert method identified eight cases undetected by the GHQ (7.4%). The results indicate higher prevalence rates than found in community samples. Pending further research, it is recommended that the GHQ be used with caution in antenatal settings
Keywords:	Pregnancy, Mental health, GHQ-28
Subjects:	C Biological Sciences > C800 Psychology B Subjects allied to Medicine > B760 Mental Health Nursing
Divisions:	College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Health & Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Bev Jones
Date Deposited:	02 May 2007
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 08:22
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/618

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