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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Comparative psychometric analyses of the SCL-90-R and its short versions in patients with affective disorders

Authors: Ulrich Prinz, Detlev O Nutzinger, Holger Schulz, Franz Petermann, Christoph Braukhaus, Sylke Andreas

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Despite the widespread application of Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90-R), its psychometric weaknesses have repeatedly been noted. This study aimed to comparatively assess the psychometric properties of the SCL-90-R scales and the scales of its short versions Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Symptom Checklist-27 (SCL-27), Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), Symptom Checklist-14 (SCL-14), and Symptom Checklist short version-9 (SCL-K-9) in patients with affective disorders.

Methods

The data of 2,727 patients within the main treatment group of affective disorders were assessed according to the DSM-IV. Patients completed the SCL-90-R and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

There were no significant differences regarding the internal consistency of the SCL-90-R scales and the scales of the short versions. The dimensional structure was only supported for the short versions BSI-18, SCL-14 and SCL-K-9. The assessment of convergent validity revealed high correlations. With regard to the discriminant validity, there were medium correlations. With regard to the sensitivity of change, no significant differences between the scales were found.

Conclusions

In summary, the scales of the short versions show mostly satisfactory psychometric properties in comparison to the scales of the SCL-90-R. The results support the application of the short versions as screening instruments, especially the BSI-18, and more economic variants of the SCL-90-R covering a wide range of psychopathological symptoms.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/13/104/prepub

Title: Comparative psychometric analyses of the SCL-90-R and its short versions in patients with affective disorders
Authors: Ulrich Prinz
Detlev O Nutzinger
Holger Schulz
Franz Petermann
Christoph Braukhaus
Sylke Andreas
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-104

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Springer Medicine

Comparative psychometric analyses of the SCL-90-R and its short versions in patients with affective disorders

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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