Is the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) confounded by scoring method during pregnancy and following birth?

Martin, CR; Jomeen, J

Abstract

The GHQ-12 has been recommended as a reliable screening instrument for psychological distress in all clinical groups. The usefulness of the GHQ-12 was evaluated in pregnant women experiencing pre-labour rupture of membrane (PROM) at term. The GHQ-12 was administered to two groups of pregnant women presenting with term PROM over three observation points (baseline, at labour/prior to induction, 28 days post-delivery). The type of scoring method used had a significant impact on both interpretation of data and the relative prevalence of 'cases' in this study cohort. The use of the GHQ-12 as a screening instrument to determine psychological distress in women with PROM at term cannot be recommended due to confound of case determination by alternative scoring methods. A further study is required to determine the optimal threshold score for the GHQ-12 in this clinical population before the instrument can be seriously considered as a screening tool in pregnancy.

Citation

Martin, C., & Jomeen, J. (2003). Is the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) confounded by scoring method during pregnancy and following birth?. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, 21(4), 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830310001622088

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2003
• Online Publication Date: Aug 4, 2010
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2003
• Journal: JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE AND INFANT PSYCHOLOGY
• Print ISSN: 0264-6838
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 267-278
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830310001622088
• Keywords: Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health; General Psychology; Reproductive Medicine
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/387138