Description

The General Health Questionnaire – GHQ-60 is a self-report tool designed to assess mental health and general psychological problems. The scale consists of 60 questions covering a wide range of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and social functioning. Its main objective is the detection of potential psychological issues in the general population.

Analysis and Use of Data

Analysis: The GHQ-60 is analyzed based on the individual’s responses, providing information about their current mental state. The answers are processed to identify possible signs of psychological distress.
Use of Data: It is used in both clinical practice and research to measure mental health, allowing for the identification of individuals who may require further evaluation or intervention.

Purpose

The main purpose of the GHQ-60 is to detect psychological problems in the general population. It helps to identify individuals who exhibit symptoms of psychological distress and who may benefit from additional psychological support or treatment.

Scoring

Scoring is based on a response scale (usually with 4 options), where individuals are asked to evaluate their experience in relation to each statement. There are several scoring methods, with the most common being:
Binary scoring (0-0-1-1)
Likert scale (0-1-2-3)
A higher overall score indicates a greater level of psychological distress.

References

Goldberg, D. (1972). The Detection of Psychiatric Illness by Questionnaire. Oxford University Press.