Browsing by Subject "Psychological distress"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Construct validity and factor structure of the Kessler-10 in South Africa
    (2022-07-18) Hoffman, Jacob; Cossie, Qhama; Ametaj, Amantia A; Kim, Hannah H; James, Roxanne; Stroud, Rocky E; Stevenson, Anne; Zingela, Zukiswa; Stein, Dan J; Gelaye, Bizu
    Background The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) is a short screening tool developed to identify, with good sensitivity, non-specific psychological distress in the general population. Sensitivity and specificity of the K-10 have been examined in various clinical populations in South Africa; however, other psychometric properties, such as construct validity and factor structure, have not been evaluated. We present evidence of the prevalence and severity of psychological distress in an outpatient setting in South Africa and evaluate the internal reliability, construct validity, and factor structure of the K-10 in this population. Methods We explored prevalence estimates of psychological distress using previously established cutoffs and assessed the reliability (consistency) of the K-10 by calculating Cronbach’s alpha, item-total correlations and omega total and hierarchical coefficients. Construct validity and factor structure of the K-10 were examined through split-sample exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), comparing several theoretical models and the EFA. Results Overall, there was low prevalence of psychological distress in our sample of 2591 adults, the majority of whom were between the ages of 18–44 (77.7%). The K-10 showed good construct validity and reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84 and omega total of 0.88. EFA yielded a four-factor solution with likely measurement artifacts. CFA showed that the four-factor model from EFA displayed the best comparative fit indices, but was likely overfitted. The unidimensional model with correlated errors was deemed the best fitting model based on fit indices, prior theory, and previous studies. Conclusion The K-10 displays adequate psychometric properties, good internal reliability, and good fit with a unidimensional-factor structure with correlated errors. Further work is required to determine appropriate cutoff values in different populations and clinical subgroups within South Africa to aid in determining the K-10’s clinical utility.
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    Exploring HIV status as a mediator in the relationship of psychological distress with socio-demographic and health related factors in South Africa: findings from the 2012 nationally representative population-based household survey
    (2023-02-06) Ncitakalo, Nolusindiso; Sigwadhi, Lovemore N; Mabaso, Musawenkosi; Joska, John; Simbayi, Leickness
    Background Psychological distress as measured by mental disorders like depression and anxiety is more prevalent in people living with HIV (PLHIV) than in the general population. However, the relationship between mental disorders and HIV is complex and bidirectional. Improved understanding of the relationship between mental disorders and HIV is important for designing interventions for this group. This paper explores the interrelationships of psychological distress with HIV and associated socio-demographic and health-related factors. Methods This secondary data analysis used the 2012 South African population-based household survey on HIV collected using a cross-sectional multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Generalized structural equation modelling (G-SEM) path analysis was used to explore the direct and indirect relationships of socio-demographic, health and HIV-related factors with psychological distress as measured by Kessler 10 scale using HIV status as a moderator variable. Results A total of 20,083 participants were included in the study, 21.7% reported psychological distress, of whom (32.6%) were HIV positive. In the final path model with HIV status as a moderator, psychological distress was significantly more likely among age group 25–49 years (AOR: 1.4 [95% CI 1.3–1.6]), age 50 years and older, (AOR: 1.4 [95% CI 1.2–1.6]), females (AOR: 1.6 [95% CI 1.4–1.8]), high risk drinkers (AOR: 1.9 [1.6–2.2]) hazardous drinkers (AOR: 4.4 [95% CI 3.1–6.3]), ever tested for HIV (AOR: 1.2 [95% CI 1.1–1.3]). Psychological distress was significantly less likely among the married [AOR: 0.8 (0.7–0.9)], other race groups [AOR: 0.5 (0.5–0.6)], those with secondary level education (AOR: 0.9 [95% CI 0.8–0.9]), and tertiary level education (AOR: 0.7 [95% CI 0.6–0.9]), those from rural informal [AOR: 0.8 (0.7–0.9)], and rural formal [AOR: 0.8 (0.7–0.9)] areas and those who rated their health as excellent/good [AOR: 0.4 (0.4–0.5)]. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance of designing tailored interventions targeted at psychological distress among PLHIV especially the elderly, females, those with no education and / or low education attainment and those residing in informal urban areas.
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    Psychological distress and its relationship with non-adherence to TB treatment: a multicentre study
    (Biomed Central Ltd, 2015) Theron, Grant; Peter, Jonny; Zijenah, Lynn; Chanda, Duncan; Mangu, Chacha; Clowes, Petra; Rachow, Andrea; Lesosky, Maia; Hoelscher, Michael; Pym, Alex; Mwaba, Peter; Mason, Peter; Naidoo, Pamela; Pooran, Anil; Sohn, Hojoon; Pai, Madhukar; Stein, Dan
    BACKGROUND:The successful cure of tuberculosis (TB) is dependent on adherence to treatment. Various factors influence adherence, however, few are easily modifiable. There are limited data regarding correlates of psychological distress and their association with non-adherenceto anti-TB treatment. METHODS: In a trial of a new TB test, we measured psychological distress (K-10 score), TB-related health literacy, and morbidity (TBscore), prior to diagnosis in 1502 patients with symptoms of pulmonary TB recruited from clinics in Cape Town (n = 419), Harare (n = 400), Lusaka (n = 400), Durban (n = 200), and Mbeya (n = 83). Socioeconomic, demographic, and alcohol usage-related data were captured. Patients initiated on treatment had their DOTS cards reviewed at two-and six-months. RESULTS: 22 %(95 % CI: 20 %, 25 %) of patients had severe psychological distress (K-10 [greater than or equal to] 30). In a multivariable linear regression model, increased K-10 scorewas independently associated with previous TB [estimate (95 % CI) 0.98(0.09-1.87); p = 0.0304], increased TBscore [1(0.80, 1.20); p <0.0001], and heavy alcohol use [3.08(1.26, 4.91); p = 0.0010], whereas male gender was protective [-1.47(2.28, 0.62); p = 0.0007]. 26 % (95 % CI: 21 %, 32 %) of 261 patients with culture-confirmed TB were non-adherent. In a multivariable logistic regression modelfor non-adherence, reduced TBscore [OR (95 % CI) 0.639 (0.497, 0.797); p = 0.0001], health literacy score [0.798(0.696, 0.906); p = 0.0008], and increased K-10 [1.082(1.033, 1.137); p = 0.0012], and heavy alcohol usage [14.83(2.083, 122.9); p = 0.0002], were independently associated. Culture-positive patients with aK-10 score[greater than or equal to] 30 were more-likely to be non-adherent (OR = 2.290(1.033-5.126); p = 0.0416]. CONCLUSION: Severe psychological distress is frequent amongst TB patients in Southern Africa. Targeted interventions to alleviate psychological distress, alcohol use, and improve health literacy in newly-diagnosed TB patients could reduce non-adherenceto treatment.
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    Validation of the Schieman and Young measurement scales for work contact, work-family conflict, working conditions, psychological distress and sleep problems in construction industry professionals
    (BioMed Central, 2018-10-24) Bowen, Paul; Govender, Rajen; Edwards, Peter
    Background This study examined the construct validity and internal consistency of modified versions of the job autonomy and control, job pressure, work contact, work-family conflict, psychological distress, and sleep problems scales developed by Schieman and Young (2013) among construction professionals through confirmatory factor analysis and tests of internal consistency. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from 942 South African construction professionals, of which 630 responses were considered for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine construct validity. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to determine the internal consistency, and convergent validity was tested using correlation analysis. Results The final CFA indicated very good model fit to the data (χ2 /df ratio = 2.11, IFI = .95, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .06, and Hoelter (95%) = 176). The scales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency: .82; .91; .83; .90; .90; and .73, respectively. Convergent validity was largely demonstrated with respect to direction of association, but not in relation to magnitude. A limitation of the validation study was the lack of available data for a more robust examination of reliability beyond internal consistency, such as test-retest. Conclusions The six scales developed by Schieman and Young (2013) hold promise as measures of work contact, work-family conflict, psychological distress, and sleep problems in relation to working conditions of construction professionals.