Peruvian adaptation and validation of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in healthcare workers

Abstract

Introduction: Working conditions in the healthcare environment have an impact on the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers. In order to conduct timely measurement in Peru, validated and easy-to-administer instruments are required. Objective: To adapt and validate the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in healthcare workers in Peru. Methods: An instrumental study was conducted involving 432 participants from the Peruvian healthcare system, selected through stratified random sampling. The process included content evaluation by experts and a pilot test. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis. The number of factors was determined using Horn's parallel analysis and verified through confirmatory factor analysis, employing various estimation methods. Reliability, discriminant validity, correlation, and predictive validity were analyzed. Results: A version of the questionnaire with twelve items grouped into two factors, explaining 58.68% of the total variance, was confirmed. The model showed good fit indices independently of the estimation method used. The items demonstrated adequate discrimination, as did the questionnaire, according to gender and profession. Correlation and predictive validity were satisfactory. The overall internal consistency, as assessed by McDonald's omega, was adequate (ω = 0.853), as well as the ordinal alpha for general dysphoria (0.919) and social dysfunction (0.828). Conclusions: Solid evidence of construct validity and reliability of the Peruvian version of the GHQ-12 is reported. Therefore, it is recommended for assessing the mental status of healthcare workers.

Keywords

• health surveys
• mental health
• psychometrics
• validation study