Dimensions of psychosocial impairment: Construct validation of clinical scales with particular reference to the SCL-90-R

作者：Tran Ulrich S^*; Walter Thomas; Remmel Andreas

来源：Diagnostica, 2012, 58(2): 75-86.

DOI：10.1026/0012-1924/a000058

• Psychotherapy
• multidimensional outcome evaluation
• quality assurance

Multidimensional evaluation of clinical outcome in mental health settings may either utilize special assessment tools ("core batteries") or a combination of established clinical instruments. Empirically, "core batteries" were often found to be dominated by a general factor as is also the case for the widely-used SCL-90-R. In a sample of diagnostically heterogeneous patients (N = 1 285), we show that a battery of well-established clinical scales (BDI, IIP-D, SF-36, SOC-29, STAI, STAXI, TAS-26) is also dominated by such a general factor. Moreover, the SCL-90-R and these other scales map onto a four dimensional manifold, comprising of psychological distress and three factors of interpersonal behaviors and problems. We discuss the significance of these results with respect to clinical research and theory formation, and with respect to multidimensional evaluation.

• 出版日期2012