Validity and reliability of Symptom Checklist '90 (SCL90) in an Argentine population sample

Quantitative models to explore behavioural disorders are being used increasingly often for health care decision making. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of instruments in Argentina specifically designed for our population, and few researchers have focused on adapting and re-establishing psychometric criteria for instruments proven to be useful in other countries. The aims of this study were to assess the psychometric properties and to develop normative samples for a psychological status symptom inventory, the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL90). We sought to determine the psychological symptom patterns both in physically healthy community-residing respondents and in physically ill patients in Argentina. The nonpatient sample was a random stratified one, made up of 484 individuals from the general population and representative with regard to gender, age, income and educational level. We also analysed a patient sample that included 105 persons with breast cancer. Results indicated acceptable reliability and validity levels as well as adequate sensitivity to detect differences between patients and nonpatients. We concluded that the SCL90 can be used to measure psychological status in Argentina, and the data presented in this paper can be utilized for comparisons with other similar instruments and with other populations.