Factor structure of the SCL-90-R: is there one?

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Clinical psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R) is a widely used clinical assessment tool.
• Concerns exist regarding its factor structure and validity in measuring independent symptom dimensions.
• Previous research has highlighted potential limitations, particularly in psychiatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on the factor structure of the Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R) and its precursors.
• To evaluate the SCL-90-R's utility as a measure of independent dimensions of symptom distress.
• To assess the clinical applicability of the SCL-90-R's nine-dimension interpretation.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
• The factor structure of the SCL-90-R and its earlier versions were analyzed.
• Multiple versions of the Symptom Check List were evaluated using criteria such as factor stability, factor loadings, and proportion of variance explained.

Main Results:

• The review identified numerous problems with the SCL-90-R's factor structure.
• Factor stability and loadings across different versions of the Symptom Check List were inconsistent.
• The proportion of variance explained by the proposed nine dimensions was often insufficient.

Conclusions:

• Interpreting the SCL-90-R using its nine distinct dimensions for clinical purposes is highly questionable.
• The SCL-90-R may be more accurately considered a measure of general psychological distress, aligning with its original intent.
• The clinical utility of the SCL-90-R's specific symptom dimensions is limited, especially for psychiatric patients.