A clinimetric analysis of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) in general population studies (Denmark, Norway, and Italy)

Abstract

The traditional, scaled, general 83 item SCL-90-R scale is a valid measure of general psychopathology. The SCL-90-R subscales of somatization, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity as well as the affective subscales of depression, anxiety, and ADHD were all accepted by the Mokken test for scalability, i.e. their total scores are sufficient statistics.

Network analysis of specific psychopathology and psychiatric symptoms in patients with eating disorders

“…Also, interpersonal sensitivity, another core psychopathologic dimension measured with SCL‐90 (Bech, Bille, Moller, Hellstrom, & Ostergaard, ; Carrozzino et al, ), and similarly EDI interpersonal distrust and ineffectiveness are shared central nodes across AN, BN, and BED. Across all EDs the ED‐core with higher centrality was drive for thinness.…”

Psychosis in parkinsonism: an unorthodox approach

“…In the next step of the clinical assessment of the patient, a detailed analysis of the symptoms and other clinical signs needs to be integrated by using clinically valid indexes and measures 192–199. This scientifically based assessment method combining the experienced clinician as a test of clinical validity with the item response theory models200,201 is defined clinimetric approach 202–204…”

Clinimetric Dilemmas in Outcome Scales for Mental Disorders

“…From a clinimetric point of view we need to start with the clinically meaningful subscales and investigate the unidimensional scalability through item response theory models. In a general population study [16] and a clinical study [26] we found the somatization subscale to have borderline acceptability from a clinimetric point of view, while the subscale of interpersonal sensitivity was clearly acceptable. Clinically, we selected the anxiety items to cover Freud's concept of ‘Die gemischte Neurose', covering generalized anxiety, panic, phobia, and obsessive-compulsive states.…”

“…When establishing the HAM-D 17 cutoff score for remission, correspondence to a clinical global assessment below mild depression is recommended [30]. When using self-reported questionnaires such as the SCL-90 subscales or the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, mean scores for the general population studies are employed [14,16]. The PSI has via the global observer ratings an acceptable cutoff score to indicate remission, in contrast to the PROMIS or the ICHOM battery of scales.…”

“…These brief scales are conventionally derived from longer versions used in clinical research, because it is important to compare the results from the practical work with the results obtained in controlled trials on which the treatment has been approved by the authorities. From the SCL-90 we have brief subscales for interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, anxiety and depression, clinimetrically selected by item response theory models [16]. From the HAM-D we have the HAM-D 6 and from the HAM-A the HAM-A 6 [13].…”