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Dimensions of neurosis
1Section of Epidemiology and General Practice, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
Psychological Medicine
|November 1, 1992
Summary
This study analyzed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) using community survey data. Results suggest a general factor of psychiatric disorder severity and a bipolar factor distinguishing positive and negative mental health dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychological Assessment
- Community Mental Health
Background:
- Factor analyses of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) commonly aim to identify dimensions like anxiety, depression, and social functioning.
- Previous interpretations of GHQ factors have focused on specific symptom clusters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an unrotated principal components analysis of the 30-item GHQ using data from large community surveys.
- To explore the underlying factor structure of the GHQ beyond traditional interpretations.
Main Methods:
- An unrotated principal components analysis was performed on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire.
- Data were sourced from two extensive community surveys.
Main Results:
- A significant general factor, accounting for approximately 30% of the variance, was identified, reflecting overall psychiatric disorder severity.
- A secondary bipolar factor, explaining about 8% of the variance, emerged, with distinct patterns for positive ('less than usual') and negative ('more than usual') items.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide empirical support for the concepts of positive and negative mental health.
- The identified factor structure suggests a potentially useful classification for understanding dimensions of community mental health.