2015 Volume 63 Issue 2 Pages 111-120
Recently, requests for highly accurate and simple screening tests to measure mental health in the field of student counseling have been increasing. Conventionally, the University Personality Inventory (UPI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), and the K10 (the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) have been used for this purpose. However, it remains unclear whether there is a common cutoff point across these tests, and whether they measure the same constructs. The present study was an attempt to clarify these issues. Participants, university students (N=548 ; 270 men, 278 women), completed the UPI, the GHQ-30, and the K10 in one sitting as part of their orientation as new students. Their responses were analyzed using correlational analysis, factor analysis, and item response theory in order to determine whether the tests consisted of a common measure. The results indicated that the cutoff points of these tests were nearly identical, suggesting that they measure the same construct. The UPI was highly accurate for measuring everyday problems, and the GHQ-30, for measurements close to the cutoff point. The K10 was able to detect illnesses with a minimal number of items. These results suggest that these 3 tests be optimally utilized on the basis of these characteristics.
