Validity study of the K6 scale as a measure of moderate mental distress based on mental health treatment need and utilization
University of California, San Francisco · Institute on Aging · +1 more institution
Abstract
The widely-used Kessler K6 non-specific distress scale screens for severe mental illness defined as a K6 score ≥ 13, estimated to afflict about 6% of US adults. The K6, as currently used, fails to capture individuals struggling with more moderate mental distress that nonetheless warrants mental health intervention. The current study determined a cutoff criterion on the K6 scale indicative of moderate mental distress based on mental health treatment need and assessed the validity of this criterion by comparing participants with identified moderate and severe mental distress on relevant clinical, impairment, and risk behavior measures. Data were analyzed from 50,880 adult participants in the 2007 California…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 16.25
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 23
Authors
5- JJJudith J. ProchaskaCorresponding
University of California, San Francisco
- HSHai‐Yen Sung
University of California, San Francisco, Institute on Aging
- WMWendy Max
University of California, San Francisco, Institute on Aging
- YSYanling Shi
University of California, San Francisco, Institute on Aging
- MOMichael Ong
University of California, Los Angeles
Topics & keywords
- Mental health
- Distress
- Mental distress
- Psychiatry
- Mental illness
- Scale (ratio)
- Clinical psychology
- Psychology
- Good health and well-being