Psychometric Assessment of the GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire-12 items): Evaluating the reliability, validity, and comparison of factor structure in Indian undergraduate students

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the reliability, validity,  and factor structure of the GHQ-12 in the Indian undergraduate student population. Although it is the most widely used scale of psychological distress, the debate around its factor structure is still ongoing. Method: A sample of (n=432) Indian undergraduate students aged 17 to 22 years were taken. The English version of GHQ-12 was used. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Convergent validity was examined by the correlation coefficients with life satisfaction, subjective happiness, and a measure of general worry. A comparison of the different models of GHQ-12 proposed in the literature was made using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimates. Result: Cronbach’s alpha (.784) reliability coefficient indicates adequate reliability. Correlation coefficients with life satisfaction (r= -529, p<.01 ), subjective happiness (r= -460, p<.01), and general worry (r= .424, p<.01) were also along the expected lines.Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed a good fit to the data (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) = 0.0319, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.989, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.982, Root Mean Square of Error Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.039). Hence, the findings indicated a seven items two-factor model consisting of Social Dysfunction and Anxiety/Depression.