The Factorial Structure of the Mental Health Scale on Jordanian Society

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35875/mq2pjz56

Keywords:

Factorial Structure, Jordanian Society, Mental health, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), (Covid-19)

Abstract

Background & Statement of the problem: A widely used instrument for assessing MH is the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), which evaluates four key dimensions: psychosomatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social functioning, and severe depression.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the factorial structure of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and assess its validity and reliability. The GHQ-28, developed by Goldberg and Williams (1970), consists of 28 items and is used to evaluate mental health across these four dimensions.

Methods: This research employed a descriptive, correlational, and analytical approach. A sample of 800 participants was drawn, including 327 males and 473 females, and comprised of 644 Jordanians and 156 non-Jordanians living in Jordan.

Results:  Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) indicated that the GHQ-28 measures one overarching dimension comprising four factors: severe depression, anxiety and insomnia, psychosomatic symptoms, and social functioning. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed that all model fit indices. Specifically, severe depression accounted for 59.889% of the variance, anxiety and insomnia for 42.128%, psychosomatic symptoms for 46.934%, and social functioning for 49.324%. Additionally, the findings revealed positive correlations between social functioning and the other three factors (severe depression, anxiety and insomnia, and psychosomatic symptoms), as well as between psychosomatic symptoms and severe depression, anxiety and insomnia.

Conclusions (Recommendations and contributions): It is recommended that further research utilizing the GHQ-28 be conducted to better understand mental health in the Jordanian population. Future studies should consider additional variables and explore differences across various demographic groups.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Mohammed Marshoud, Palestine Polytechnic University

    He is an Associate Professor at Palestine Polytechnic University, College of Humanities and Educational Sciences, teaching the course on Measurement and Evaluation. His research focuses on topics related to measurement and evaluation, including the applications of modern measurement theory (Item Response Theory, IRT) and the development of question banks and computerized qualitative tests.

  • Dr. Marwan Salame, Al-Ahliyya Amman University

    He is an Assistant Professor at Amman Al-Ahliyya University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Clinical Psychology. His research focuses on topics related to measurement, the development of psychological scales, psychological disorders, psychological resilience, psychological toughness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

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Published

2024-09-30

How to Cite

Marshoud, M., & Salame, M. (2024). The Factorial Structure of the Mental Health Scale on Jordanian Society. Al-Balqa Journal for Research and Studies, 27(3), 80-96. https://doi.org/10.35875/mq2pjz56