A National Study to Assess Validity and Psychometrics of the Short Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6)

Umucu, Emre; Fortuna, Karen L.; Jung, Hyejin; Białuńska, Anita; Lee, Beatrice; Mangadu, Thenral; Storm, Marianne; Ergün, Gül; Mozer, Donyeill A.; Brooks, Jessica

doi:10.1177/00343552211043261

Cited by 31 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Specifically, scores of 6 may indicate mild distress, and scores of 13 may indicate more severe distress. The K6 has been validated and demonstrated to have criterion validity [ 21 ] and was an internally consistent measure of internalizing distress in a nationally representative sample (α=.89) [ 20 , 22 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Willingness to Use Internet-Based Versus Bibliotherapy Interventions in a Representative US Sample: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Jesús-Romero¹,

Wasil²,

Lorenzo‐Luaces³

2022

JMIR Form Res

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Background Self-help interventions have the potential to increase access to evidence-based mental health care. Self-help can be delivered via different formats, including print media or digital mental health interventions (DMHIs). However, we do not know which delivery format is more likely to result in higher engagement. Objective The aims of this study were to identify if there is a preference for engaging in print media versus DMHIs and whether there are individual differences in relative preferences. Methods Participants were 423 adults between the ages of 18 and 82 years (201/423, 47.5% female) recruited on Prolific as a nationally representative sample of the US population, including non-Hispanic White (293/423, 69.2%), non-Hispanic Black (52/423, 12%), Asian (31/423, 7%), Hispanic (25/423, 6%), and other individuals (22/423, 5%). We provided individuals with psychoeducation in different self-help formats and measured their willingness to use print media versus DMHIs. We also assessed participants’ demographics, personality, and perception of each format’s availability and helpfulness and used these to predict individual differences in the relative preferences. Results Participants reported being more willing to engage with print media than with DMHIs (B=0.41, SE 0.08; t422=4.91; P<.001; d=0.24, 95% CI 0.05-0.43). This preference appeared to be influenced by education level (B=0.22, SE 0.09; t413=2.41; P=.02; d=0.13, 95% CI –0.06 to 0.32), perceived helpfulness (B=0.78, SE 0.06; t411=13.66; P<.001; d=0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.66), and perceived availability (B=0.20, SE 0.58; t411=3.25; P=.001; d=0.12, 95% CI 0.07-0.30) of the self-help format. Conclusions This study suggests an overall preference for print media over DMHIs. Future work should investigate whether receiving mental health treatment via participants’ preferred delivery format can lead to higher engagement.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Willingness to Use Internet-Based Versus Bibliotherapy Interventions in a Representative US Sample: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Jesús-Romero¹,

Wasil²,

Lorenzo‐Luaces³

2022

JMIR Form Res

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“…The 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was used to assess psychological distress in patients with diabetes. K6 is a valid with a high internal consistency reliability even when tested in a sample from an underserved population served by community health centers [ 29 , 30 ]. K6 assesses psychological distress by asking participants about 6 symptoms: “During the past 30 days, how often did you feel (1) so sad that nothing could cheer you?…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers Associated with Access to Prescription Medications in Patients Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers

2022

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This study describes access to prescription medications and examines personal, financial, and structural barriers associated with access to prescription medications in patients with type 2 diabetes treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers. We used a cross-sectional design to analyze data retrieved from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey. Adult participants who self-reported having type 2 diabetes were included in this study. Predictor variables were categorized into personal, financial, and structural barriers. Outcomes include being unable to get and delayed in getting prescription medications. Chi-square and multivariable regression models were conducted to examine associations between predictor and outcome variables. A total of 1097 participants with type 2 diabetes were included in analyses. Approximately 29% of participants were delayed, and 24% were unable to get medications. Multivariable regression results showed that personal barriers, such as federal poverty level, health status, and psychological distress were associated with being unable to get medications. Financial barriers including out-of-pocket medication cost and employment were associated with access to prescription medications. Type of health center funding program as a structural barrier was associated with access to medications. In conclusion, multi-level tailored strategies and policy changes are needed to address these barriers to improve access to prescription medications and health outcomes in underserved patient populations.

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“…2,8 Other substance use treatment programs were limited in the services provided during the pandemic due to reduced revenue and resources. 9 Serious psychological distress (SPD), a frequent impairment in functioning due to multiple mental health symptoms, 10 is particularly important to evaluate during the pandemic. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing SPD was associated with behavioral and social determinants of health, 11 lower quality of life, chronic medical conditions, 12 and mortality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serious Psychological Distress, Substance Use Disorders, and Social Issues Among Men and Women in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gray,

Santos-Lozada,

Hard

et al. 2023

Am J Health Promot

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Purpose This study assesses the association between SUD, economic hardship, gender, and related risk and protective factors on serious psychological distress (SPD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Quantitative cross-sectional design. Setting National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Sample Data were from the NSDUH (2020) N = 25,746, representing 238,677,123 US adults, who identified as 18 or older and either male or female. Measures SPD measured as scoring a 13 or more on the Kessler (K6) distress scale. SUDs were determined using DSM5 criteria. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables included in analyses. Analysis Logistic regressions evaluated the association between gender, protective, and risk factors on SPD. Results After controlling for sociodemographic and related factors of SPD, having a SUD was the strongest correlate of SPD. Other significant correlates of SPD included female gender and an income level at or below the federal poverty threshold. Gender stratified regressions illustrated that religiosity, self-identifying as Black, and high levels of education were protective against SPD for women but not men. Poverty level was more associated with SPD for women than men. Conclusion In the United States, individuals with SUDs were nearly four times more likely to report SPD than those without SUDs, controlling for economic hardship and markers of social support during 2020. Effective social interventions to reduce SPD among individuals with SUDs are needed.

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A National Study to Assess Validity and Psychometrics of the Short Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6)

Cited by 31 publications

References 34 publications

Willingness to Use Internet-Based Versus Bibliotherapy Interventions in a Representative US Sample: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Willingness to Use Internet-Based Versus Bibliotherapy Interventions in a Representative US Sample: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Barriers Associated with Access to Prescription Medications in Patients Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated at Federally Qualified Health Centers

Serious Psychological Distress, Substance Use Disorders, and Social Issues Among Men and Women in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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