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General Health Questionnaire
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About Scale Name
Scale Name
General Health Questionnaire
Author Details
David Goldberg
Translation Availability
More than 60 Languages
Background/Description
The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is a self-report screening questionnaire that is used to identify common mental disorders in the general population. It was developed by David Goldberg in the 1970s and has been translated into over 60 languages.
There are four versions of the GHQ: the GHQ-60, GHQ-30, GHQ-28, and GHQ-12. The GHQ-60 is the original version, but it is too long to be used in many settings. The shorter versions are just as effective at screening for mental disorders, but they are easier to complete and score.
The GHQ-12 is the most widely used version of the GHQ. It consists of 12 questions that assess a person’s mental health over the past few weeks. The questions cover a range of symptoms, such as:
- Feeling tired
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Feeling down
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling anxious
- Feeling worthless
Each question is scored on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no problem and 3 indicating a severe problem. The total score for the GHQ-12 ranges from 0 to 36, with a higher score indicating a greater risk of mental illness.
The GHQ was developed in the context of the development of community mental health services in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. At the time, there was a need for a simple and effective way to identify people who were at risk of developing a mental illness, so that they could be offered early intervention and treatment.
The GHQ was designed to be a self-report questionnaire, so that it could be easily administered in primary care settings. It was also designed to be sensitive to a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and stress.
The GHQ has been shown to be a reliable and valid screening tool for mental disorders. It has been used in a wide range of settings, including primary care, occupational health, and military settings. It has also been used in research studies to assess the prevalence of mental disorders in the general population.
The GHQ is not a diagnostic tool, but it can be used to identify people who need further assessment. If you score high on the GHQ, you should talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to discuss your symptoms and get the help you need.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is a self-report screening questionnaire that is used to identify common mental disorders in the general population. It is administered by asking the participant to read each question and then rate their answer on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no problem and 3 indicating a severe problem.
The GHQ can be administered in a variety of settings, including primary care, occupational health, and research studies. It is typically administered by a trained professional, but it can also be self-administered.
The GHQ takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The participant is asked to rate their mental health over the past few weeks.
- Introduce the GHQ and explain its purpose.
- Read each question aloud and ask the participant to rate their answer on a scale of 0 to 3.
- If the participant has any questions, be sure to answer them.
- Once the participant has completed the GHQ, score it according to the instructions.
- Discuss the results with the participant and provide them with any necessary referrals.
Reliability and Validity
The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is a self-report screening questionnaire that is used to identify common mental disorders in the general population. It has been shown to be a reliable and valid screening tool for mental disorders.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the GHQ. This means that if the same person takes the GHQ on two different occasions, they should score similarly. The GHQ has good reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the GHQ-12 is 0.89, which means that there is a high level of consistency in the scores.
Validity refers to the accuracy of the GHQ. This means that the GHQ should be able to accurately identify people who are at risk of developing a mental illness. The GHQ has good validity. It has been shown to be able to identify people who are at risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
The GHQ has been used in a wide range of settings, including primary care, occupational health, and military settings. It has also been used in research studies to assess the prevalence of mental disorders in the general population.
The GHQ is not a diagnostic tool, but it can be used to identify people who need further assessment. If you score high on the GHQ, you should talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to discuss your symptoms and get the help you need.
Available Versions
60-Items
30-Items
28-Items
12-Items
Reference
Goldberg, D. P., & Williams, P. (1988). A user’s guide to the General Health Questionnaire (3rd ed.). Windsor, UK: NFER-Nelson.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GHQ?
A self-report screening questionnaire for mental disorders.
How many versions of the GHQ are there?
Four: GHQ-60, GHQ-30, GHQ-28, and GHQ-12.
How long does it take to complete the GHQ?
5-10 minutes.
How is the GHQ scored?
Each question is scored on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no problem and 3 indicating a severe problem.
What is the purpose of the GHQ?
To identify people who are at risk of developing a mental illness.
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