An Integrated Approach to Bias in the Spanish Version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemEditorial
Hogrefe Publishing GmbH
Fecha
2016Referencia bibliográfica
Published version: Benítez, I., Van de Vijver, A.J.R., & Padilla, J.L. (2019). An Integrated Approach to Bias in the Spanish Version of the General health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 35, 233-240. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000395
Resumen
Background and Aims: The aim of the paper is to illustrate a comprehensive approach
to bias in an application of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among native
Spanish people and immigrants in Spain. A comprehensive evaluation of bias can detect
combined effects of different types of bias and their causes.
Methods: The GHQ-12, administered as part of the 2006 Spanish National Health
Survey, was used for evaluating bias. The entire sample of 1251 participants was
composed of Spanish and immigrants from Morocco, Ecuador, Romania, and
Colombia. Construct, method, and items bias were evaluated, using analyses of
measurement invariance, response styles, and Differential Item Functioning,
respectively.
Results: Integrating the results of the bias analyses, we found that the presence of bias
was related to items asking about symptoms, notably dealing with feelings and personal
perceptions. Furthermore, colloquialisms in the items led to bias in the comparison of
Spanish speakers from Spain and South America (all of whom had Spanish as mother
tongue). Discussion: The integrated approach to bias showed the value of examining various
forms of bias in an integrated manner.