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Internal consistency of the self-reporting questionnaire-20 in occupational groups

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE

To assess the internal consistency of the measurements of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) in different occupational groups.

METHODS

A validation study was conducted with data from four surveys with groups of workers, using similar methods. A total of 9,959 workers were studied. In all surveys, the common mental disorders were assessed via SRQ-20. The internal consistency considered the items belonging to dimensions extracted by tetrachoric factor analysis for each study. Item homogeneity assessment compared estimates of Cronbach’s alpha (KD-20), the alpha applied to a tetrachoric correlation matrix and stratified Cronbach’s alpha.

RESULTS

The SRQ-20 dimensions showed adequate values, considering the reference parameters. The internal consistency of the instrument items, assessed by stratified Cronbach’s alpha, was high (> 0.80) in the four studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The SRQ-20 showed good internal consistency in the professional categories evaluated. However, there is still a need for studies using alternative methods and additional information able to refine the accuracy of latent variable measurement instruments, as in the case of common mental disorders.

Mental Health; Questionnaires, utilization; Reproducibility of Results; Validation Studies; Mental Disorders, diagnosis; Workers

RESUMO

OBJETIVO

Avaliar a consistência interna das medidas do Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em diferentes grupos ocupacionais.

MÉTODOS

Realizou-se estudo de validação com dados de quatro inquéritos de grupos de trabalhadores, utilizando procedimentos metodológicos semelhantes. Foram estudados 9.959 trabalhadores. Em todos os inquéritos, os transtornos mentais comuns foram avaliados por meio do SRQ-20. A consistência interna considerou os itens pertencentes às dimensões extraídas por análise fatorial tetracórica, para cada estudo. A avaliação da homogeneidade dos itens comparou estimativas alpha de Cronbach (KD-20), o alpha aplicado a uma matriz de correlações tetracóricas e do alpha de Cronbach estratificado.

RESULTADOS

As dimensões do SRQ-20 apresentaram valores adequados, considerando os parâmetros de referência. A consistência interna dos itens do instrumento, avaliada pelo escore do alpha de Cronbach estratificado, foi elevada (> 0,80) nos quatro estudos.

CONCLUSÕES

O SRQ-20 apresentou boa consistência interna nas categorias profissionais avaliadas. Entretanto, ainda são necessários estudos que utilizem métodos alternativos e informações adicionais que possam refinar a precisão dos instrumentos de mensuração de construtos latentes, como no caso dos transtornos mentais comuns.

Saúde Mental; Questionários, utilização; Reprodutibilidade dos Testes; Estudos de Validação; Transtornos Mentais, diagnóstico; Trabalhadores

INTRODUCTION

In the early 1970s, the World Health Organizationa a World Health Organization, Division of Mental Health. User’s guide to self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ). Geneva: World Health Organization; 1994. built the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) to assess the impacts of mental health problems in primary health care in periphery countries. This instrument was composed of 30 questions evaluating psycho-emotional symptoms, alcohol abuse, psychotic disorders and seizures. The target population was primary health service users. In 19801212. Harding TW, De Arango MV, Baltazar J, Climent CE, Ibrahim HHA, Ladrido-Ignacio L et al. Mental disorders in primary health care: a study of their frequency and diagnosis in four developing countries. Psychol Med. 1980;10(2):231-41. DOI:10.1017/S0033291700043993, a version with 20 questions (SRQ-20) was developed, covering only psycho-emotional aspects. It was proposed for screening of common mental disorders (CMD), which are nonpsychotic symptoms characterized by insomnia, fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and somatic complaints88. Goldberg D, Huxley P. Common mental disorders: a bio-social model. London: Tavistock; 1992..

The SRQ-20 has been widely used and the performance of its measurements has been evaluated in populations of health service users2222. Scazufca M, Menezes PR, Vallada H, Araya R. Validity of the self reporting questionnaire-20 in epidemiological studies with older adults: results from the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2009;44(3):247-54. DOI:10.1007/s00127-008-0425-y. However, few studies have assessed the validity and consistency of SQR-20 measurements regarding occupation2121. Santos KOB, Araújo TM, Oliveira NF. Estrutura fatorial e consistência interna do Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em população urbana. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(1):214-22. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000100023.

Instruments for assessment of behavioral traits or sets of symptoms need item homogeneity to capture different aspects of the same variable. Internal consistency evaluations of instruments are considered a reliability criterion for a measurement. However, this interpretation has its limits because measurements of internal consistency are based on management of the scale at a specific point, not considering sources of variation throughout time or among observers2424. Streiner D. Starting at the beginning: an introduction to coefficient alpha and internal consistency. J Pers Assess. 2003;80(1):99-103. DOI:10.1207/S15327752JPA8001_18.

The concept of validity is related to the quality of a given measurement. Reliability reflects the set of random and systematic errors inherent in a measurement. The relationship between validity and reliability can be analyzed by the consistency of external (validity) and internal (reliability) criteria2525. Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2008..

Reliability reflects a necessary but insufficient condition for the validity of a particular measurement. This condition does not characterize a property of a research instrument; essentially, reliability refers to the ability of the measurement produced by the instrument to be consistent in time and space or among different observers1616. Maroco J, Garcia-Marques T. Qual a fiabilidade do alpha de Cronbach? Questões antigas e soluções modernas? Lab Psicol.2006;4(1):65-90.. In addition, the conditions to evaluate reliability are relative, since every measurement has a degree of reliability when applied to a particular population under specific conditions2424. Streiner D. Starting at the beginning: an introduction to coefficient alpha and internal consistency. J Pers Assess. 2003;80(1):99-103. DOI:10.1207/S15327752JPA8001_18.

In the reliability assessment, three procedures can be adopted, depending on the type of the instrument and form of measurement. The stability evaluation of the measurement considers the consistency over time (test-retest), a technique related to the concept of reproducibility of measurements. The second procedure concerns measurement equivalence by considering different forms of measurement (interobserver). The measurement can also be evaluated by the internal consistency of the set of items used to estimate a certain latent variable or dimension1515. Krathwohl DR. Methods of educational and social science research: an integrated approach. 2nd ed. New York: Longman; 1998.. Thus, the internal consistency of the instrument shows the degree of homogeneity of the measurement when the items or subscales measure the same variable1616. Maroco J, Garcia-Marques T. Qual a fiabilidade do alpha de Cronbach? Questões antigas e soluções modernas? Lab Psicol.2006;4(1):65-90..

This study aimed to assess the internal consistency of SRQ-20 measurements in occupational groups.

METHODS

A validation study was conducted with four surveys that used similar methodologies in different occupational categories in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil.

Study 1 – Informal workers. An epidemiological survey, with systematic sampling of 1,458 stallholders, street vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers in Feira de Santana, Bahia, in 200811. Araújo TM, Karasek R. Validity and reliability of the job content questionnaire in formal and informal jobs in Brazil. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2008;34(supll 6):52-9..

Study 2 – Teachers. A census of the 4,496 teachers from the 365 public preschools and elementary schools in Salvador, Bahia, 200644. Cardoso JP, Araújo TM, Carvalho FM, Oliveira NF, Reis EJFB. Aspectos psicossociais do trabalho e dor musculoesquelética em professores.Cad Saude Publica. 2011;27(8):1498-506. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800005.

Study 3 – Health care workers. A cross section of a multicenter study using the same sampling procedures of a survey carried out in Belo Horizonte22. Barbosa REC, Assunção AA, Araújo TM. Distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em trabalhadores do setor saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Cad Saude Publica. 2012;28(8):1569-80. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2012000800015, Minas Gerais, among primary health care workers from four municipalities of Bahia (Feira de Santana, Jequié, Santo Antônio de Jesus and a health district of Salvador). Its proportional stratified sampling considered: the distribution of the number of workers by geographical area; definition of events of interest estimates; composition of the sample according to the percentage of workers in each geographical area of the participating municipalities; and the draw, by random procedure, of the workers included in the study in each region. Throughout the 2012-2013 period, 2,448 workers were evaluated.

Study 4 – Urban workers. A random sample of 1,557 individuals, representing workers over 15 years of age, stratified by subdistricts of the urban area of Feira de Santana, in 20072020. Prisco AP, Araújo TM, Almeida MMG, Santos KOB. Prevalência de transtornos alimentares em trabalhadores urbanos de município do Nordeste do Brasil. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2013;18(4):1109-18. DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232013000400024.

In all studies, common mental disorders were evaluated with the use of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). To analyze the internal consistency of the dimensions (subscales) of the instrument, a tetrachotric correlation factor analysis was previously performed using the method of principal components with factor extraction, according to the Kaiser criterion of eigenvalue greater than 1. The scree plot technique was used to confirm the amount of factors to be extracted. The items presenting load greater than 0.40 were retained for composition of the factors1111. Hair Junior JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE, Tatham RL.Análise multivariada de dados. 6a ed. Porto Alegre: Bookman; 2009.. PROMAX oblique rotation was applied for better interpretation of the values, using the Stata program, version 11.0.

To compare estimates of internal consistency of subscales (dimensions) extracted by tetrachoric factor analysis, we used alpha (α) values by the Kuder-Richardson formula (KD-20), α for the tetrachoric correlations matrix, and stratified α66. Cronbach lJ, Schönemann P, Mckie D. Alpha coefficients for stratified parallel tests. Educ Psychol Meas. 1965;25(2):291-312. DOI:10.1177/001316446502500201, to investigate a possible underestimation of internal consistency.

Stratified α was estimated using Microsoft Excel® (2007), employing the formula in which S2i is the variance of the items that constitute the factor i (i = 1, ..., f), αiis Cronbach’s alpha for the factor i andS2T is the total variance of the instrument, according to the equation below. The variation of 0.65-0.90 was adopted as the reference parameter of satisfactory performance1717. Nunnaly J. Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1978..

The four studies were evaluated and approved by research ethics committees when they were conducted. The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Instituto de Saúde Coletiva da Universidade Federal da Bahia (CAAE 18723813.9.0000.5030).

RESULTS

Most evaluated workers were female, especially among teachers (92.0%; study 2) and health workers (80.6%; study 3). In the four studies, the predominant age group was 30 to 45 years (Table 1). The educational attainment of the workers differed among studies. Most informal workers (study 1) reported less than primary educational attainment (95.9%). In study 3, 42.9% reported elementary educational attainment and 41.3% secondary technical education or higher education. Secondary technical education or higher education was reported by 82.1% of teachers (study 2) and 55.9% of workers in general (study 4).

Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of the populations of the four studies. Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, 2006-2013.

Filling of SRQ-20 items varied among studies (Table 2). Study 2 had the greatest number of losses, with 605 missing data (13.5%), followed by study 3, which showed a loss of 60 data (2.4%). Smaller loss percentages were found in studies 1 and 4 (0.3% and 1.2%, respectively).

Table 2
Cronbach’s alpha (KD-20) and tetrachoric correlation matrix alpha values of the items composing SRQ-20, according to group of workers. Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, 2006-2013.

The α values of SRQ-20 dimensions of the occupational groups evaluated showed significant variations. The use of the alpha adjusted by the tetrachoric correlation matrix allowed more robust coefficients, considering the sample size.

In studies 1 and 2, we observed similar KD-20 and tetrachoric matrix α values (0.85 and 0.94, respectively). Study 3 (health workers) showed the lowest value of internal consistency for both estimators (0.82 and 0.92). In study 4, standardized values of the item set were 0.84 for the KD-20 estimate and 0.93 for the tetrachoric correlation α. In all studies, removing items did not change substantially the global values of internal consistency estimates of the instrument.

The factor analysis allowed the extraction of three factors that differed as to classification of the dimensions and number of items in each dimension among studies (Table 3).

Table 3
Number of items, number of losses, estimates of Cronbach’s alpha and of stratified Cronbach’s alpha of the SQR-20 dimensions extracted by tetrachoric factor analysis among groups of workers. Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, 2006-2013.

The Cronbach’s α estimated for tetrachoric correlation matrix produced higher values for all dimensions of the studies. The internal consistency of the instrument items, assessed by stratified Cronbach’s α, was high (> 0.80) in most studies.

In study 1, the dimension represented by factor 1 (F1 - depressive mood or anxiety symptoms) concentrated the largest number of items (11) and higher internal consistency according to both estimation methods (0.79 and 0.90). Factor 2 (F2) represented the somatic dimension and factor 3 (F3), the dimension “decreased energy”. These last two dimensions showed identical Cronbach’s α values (0.65), but differed in estimates assessed for tetrachoric matrix correlation, with a higher value for F2 (α = 0.79).

Among teachers (study 2), dimension “depressive mood” presented limitations in internal consistency (α = 0.41). However, this same dimension stayed within the reference standard (α = 0.74) when the tetrachoric matrix was considered.

The three dimensions extracted by factor analysis in study 3 presented similar estimates of reliability (α = 0.87) when the tetrachoric matrix was considered.

Study 4 showed the smallest reliability estimates among SRQ-20 dimensions. Factor 2 (“decreased energy”) and factor 3 (“depressive mood”) presented Cronbach’s α coefficients below the reference value (α = 0.62 and α = 0.64, respectively). However, when using the method of tetrachoric correlation matrix, all factors (dimensions) reached coefficients greater than 0.80.

DISCUSSION

Internal consistency estimates of SRQ-20 dimensions and global scores, using a tetrachoric correlation matrix, showed adequate values consistent with the literature1717. Nunnaly J. Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1978.. However, the high proportion of losses in study 2 may have compromised Cronbach’s alpha estimates. Both losses affecting α values and differences among occupational groups show that the reliability of a measurement, evaluated by the reproducibility or homogeneity of measurement items, cannot be interpreted as an inherent or immutable property of an instrument because it depends on the interaction between the instrument and a specific assessed group2424. Streiner D. Starting at the beginning: an introduction to coefficient alpha and internal consistency. J Pers Assess. 2003;80(1):99-103. DOI:10.1207/S15327752JPA8001_18.

Internal consistency has been considered a suitable measurement to describe traits, characteristics of behaviors or disorders in a particular context, but not necessarily to identify groups possessing such attributes or not2525. Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2008.. Thus, group characteristics may affect the homogeneity of measurement items. Intra- or inter-subject differences related to the variability of the data affects the α value. Generally, the smaller the variability of intra-subject responses and the larger the variability of inter-subject responses, the greater the α value1616. Maroco J, Garcia-Marques T. Qual a fiabilidade do alpha de Cronbach? Questões antigas e soluções modernas? Lab Psicol.2006;4(1):65-90..

In this study, most occupational groups had a predominance of females, with an average age of 30 to 45 years and differences in educational attainment. Low educational attainment can be a barrier to express emotional disorders77. Glubash R, Daradkeh T, El-Rufaie, OF, About-Saleh MT. A comparison of the validity of two psychiatric screening questionnaires: the Arabic General Health Questionnaire (AGHQ) and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) in UAE, using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis.Eur Psychiatr. 2001;16(2):122-6. DOI:10.1016/S0924-9338(01)00549-1. However, the stratification used here hampers a detailed analysis of this characteristic in the interpretation of the scale.

In addition to the differences between the groups, the high degree of consistency in the measurements of a scale denotes ease of interpretation of the final score, as a reflection of the items composing the instrument. To do this, the items should be moderately correlated with each other and maintain a correlation with the total score of scale1313. Henson RK. Understanding internal consistency reliability estimates: a conceptual primers on coefficient alpha. Meas Eval Couns Dev. 2001:34(3):177-88..

The interpretation of internal consistency measurements produced by SRQ-20 has been discussed in the literature. Most studies use Cronbach’s α (KD-20) as a reference measurement to evaluate the consistency of SRQ-2099. Gonçalves DM, Stein AT, Kapczinsk F. Avaliação de desempenho do Self-Reporting Questionnaire como instrumento de rastreamento psiquiátrico: um estudo comparativo com o Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR.Cad Saude Publica. 2008;24(2):380-90. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2008000200017,1414. Iacoponi E, Mari JJ. Reability and factor structure of the Portuguese version of Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 1989;35(3):213-22. DOI:10.1177/002076408903500301,2121. Santos KOB, Araújo TM, Oliveira NF. Estrutura fatorial e consistência interna do Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em população urbana. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(1):214-22. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000100023,2222. Scazufca M, Menezes PR, Vallada H, Araya R. Validity of the self reporting questionnaire-20 in epidemiological studies with older adults: results from the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2009;44(3):247-54. DOI:10.1007/s00127-008-0425-y. The total scores of the instrument have been interpreted as satisfactory; however, when evaluating the dimensions that represent groups of symptoms, Cronbach’s α coefficients show smaller values. The multidimensionality of the variable measured by SRQ-20 limits homogeneous relations among items and justifies the irregular performance of internal consistency instrument measurements2121. Santos KOB, Araújo TM, Oliveira NF. Estrutura fatorial e consistência interna do Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em população urbana. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(1):214-22. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000100023.

Some aspects should be considered when evaluating the results related to internal consistency estimates of an instrument. Uncritical acceptance of α values, as a reflex of high levels of internal consistency, can lead to impaired judgment of the real scale homogeneity.

The α value depends not only on the magnitude of the correlation of the items in a scale, but also on the number of items that compose it. Thus, the greater the number of items in a scale, the greater the estimated internal consistency. Another condition that requires greater caution when interpretating internal consistency is the combination of scales that assess independent constructs, because the increase in the items will elevate α estimates. In addition, high α values may be related to redundancy of the scale items, compromising content validity, since an item set can assess the same conditions in different ways2525. Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2008..

In this study, most dimensions extracted by tetrachoric factor analysis showed internal consistency estimates within the assumed reference parameter (α = 0.65-0.90). However, the parameters used as reference for the estimates of α are also the target of criticism.

There are several reference values to evaluate the internal consistency of scales1717. Nunnaly J. Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1978.,2121. Santos KOB, Araújo TM, Oliveira NF. Estrutura fatorial e consistência interna do Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em população urbana. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(1):214-22. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000100023. The variations in reference values are due to different numbers of scale items and size of the investigated samples. Generally, scales with fewer than 10 items, small samples, and α = 0.70 are considered of good internal consistency in their measurements. On the other hand, if the scale has more items and a sample size greater than 300, α = 0.90 must be used as a parameter2525. Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2008.. Despite the proposed parameters, critical evaluations must be stimulated. Estimates of α are affected by the amount of items and dimensionality of the scales. Values higher than 0.90 suggest redundancy of scale items and a need to reduce the instrument2626. Tavakol M, Dennick R. Post-examination analysis of objective tests. Med Teach. 2011;33(6):447-58. DOI:10.3109/0142159X.2011.564682.

This study provides evidence to characterize SRQ-20 as a multidimensional instrument, with dimensions varying among the different occupational groups investigated. Estimates of α cannot be interpreted as a property of the instrument, since they are conditioned by scale scores in a given population2424. Streiner D. Starting at the beginning: an introduction to coefficient alpha and internal consistency. J Pers Assess. 2003;80(1):99-103. DOI:10.1207/S15327752JPA8001_18.

In general, one-dimensional measurements feature high levels of internal consistency (high homogeneity). However, high internal consistency values represent conditions necessary but insufficient to ensure the unicity of a scale55. Cortina J. What is coefficient alpha: an examination of theory and applications. J Appl Psychol. 1993;78(1):98-104. DOI:10.1037/0021-9010.78.1.98. Thus, multidimensional instruments featuring high internal consistency levels for a particular measurement show that, although there are different dimensions, the components are strongly interrelated1616. Maroco J, Garcia-Marques T. Qual a fiabilidade do alpha de Cronbach? Questões antigas e soluções modernas? Lab Psicol.2006;4(1):65-90..

The α values may underestimate the true internal consistency of the measurementss of a multidimensional instrument because the α estimate suggests equivalent distinction among the questionnaire items1818. Osburn HG. Coefficient alpha and related internal consistency reliability coefficients. Psychol Methods. 2000;5(3):343-55. DOI:10.1037/1082-989X.5.3.343,1919. Ponterotto JG, Ruckdeschel D. An overview of coefficient alpha and a reliability matrix for estimating adequacy of internal consistency coefficients with psychological research measures. Percept Mot Skills. 2007;105(3):997-1014. DOI:10.2466/pms.105.3.997-1014,b b Widhiarso W. Estimate reliability measurement for multidimensional scales. Social Science Research Network; 2009 [cited 2015 Jul 28]. Available from:http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1597532 . Congeneric scales, characterized by correlation of items among themselves, are also affected by the underestimation of alpha values1010. Graham J. Congeneric and (essentially) tau-equivalent estimates of scorer reliability: what they are and how to use them. Edu Psychol Meas. 2006;66(6):930-44. DOI:10.1177/0013164406288165. For multidimensional instruments, the stratified α has showed better performance for the estimates than conventional estimators, although the differences are not so expressiveb b Widhiarso W. Estimate reliability measurement for multidimensional scales. Social Science Research Network; 2009 [cited 2015 Jul 28]. Available from:http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1597532 . Therefore, the principle of tau equivalence must be considered when analyzing estimates of Cronbach’s α among multidimensional instruments. In these cases, the assumption that each item of test measures the same latent trait in an instrument is violated by the dimensions extracted by factor analysis. In this way, the α values of a multidimensional instrument will be underestimated2626. Tavakol M, Dennick R. Post-examination analysis of objective tests. Med Teach. 2011;33(6):447-58. DOI:10.3109/0142159X.2011.564682.

In the context of psychometric assessments, we highlight the debate on the superiority of measurements used as reliability criteria33. Brennan RL. Generalizability theory. New York: Springer; 2001.. Cronbach’s α measurements are widely used uncritically and often considered a reference for scale reliability. However, it is necessary to deepen the analysis of α values and to compare the indexes based on repetition of measurements (test-retest)1010. Graham J. Congeneric and (essentially) tau-equivalent estimates of scorer reliability: what they are and how to use them. Edu Psychol Meas. 2006;66(6):930-44. DOI:10.1177/0013164406288165.

Operational and theoretical limitations reflect a low threshold of internal consistency for estimates produced by Cronbach’s α. There are also the difficulties of interpretation and judgement of its measurements. Alpha estimates correlate with other statistics, which can confuse results when very low and very high values of this coefficient are found in one-dimensional or multidimensional instruments. Thus, additional information is required to assess α estimates separatedly as an internal consistency measurement2323. Sijtsma K. On the use, the misuse, and the very limited usefulness of Cronbach’s alpha. Psychometrika. 2009;74(1):107-20. DOI:10.1007/s11336-008-9101-0.

Despite the extensive use of Cronbach’s α in the internal consistency evaluation of SRQ-20, the discussion about the real implications of its measurements for multidimensional instruments is still recent. Studies are needed to critically assess Cronbach’s α estimates, comparing them with alternative methods and additional information to refine the accuracy of latent variable measurement instruments, as in the case of mental disorders.

REFERENCES

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    Araújo TM, Karasek R. Validity and reliability of the job content questionnaire in formal and informal jobs in Brazil. Scand J Work Environ Health 2008;34(supll 6):52-9.
  • 2
    Barbosa REC, Assunção AA, Araújo TM. Distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em trabalhadores do setor saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Cad Saude Publica. 2012;28(8):1569-80. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2012000800015
  • 3
    Brennan RL. Generalizability theory. New York: Springer; 2001.
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    Cardoso JP, Araújo TM, Carvalho FM, Oliveira NF, Reis EJFB. Aspectos psicossociais do trabalho e dor musculoesquelética em professores.Cad Saude Publica. 2011;27(8):1498-506. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2011000800005
  • 5
    Cortina J. What is coefficient alpha: an examination of theory and applications. J Appl Psychol 1993;78(1):98-104. DOI:10.1037/0021-9010.78.1.98
  • 6
    Cronbach lJ, Schönemann P, Mckie D. Alpha coefficients for stratified parallel tests. Educ Psychol Meas 1965;25(2):291-312. DOI:10.1177/001316446502500201
  • 7
    Glubash R, Daradkeh T, El-Rufaie, OF, About-Saleh MT. A comparison of the validity of two psychiatric screening questionnaires: the Arabic General Health Questionnaire (AGHQ) and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) in UAE, using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis.Eur Psychiatr 2001;16(2):122-6. DOI:10.1016/S0924-9338(01)00549-1
  • 8
    Goldberg D, Huxley P. Common mental disorders: a bio-social model. London: Tavistock; 1992.
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    Gonçalves DM, Stein AT, Kapczinsk F. Avaliação de desempenho do Self-Reporting Questionnaire como instrumento de rastreamento psiquiátrico: um estudo comparativo com o Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR.Cad Saude Publica 2008;24(2):380-90. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2008000200017
  • 10
    Graham J. Congeneric and (essentially) tau-equivalent estimates of scorer reliability: what they are and how to use them. Edu Psychol Meas 2006;66(6):930-44. DOI:10.1177/0013164406288165
  • 11
    Hair Junior JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE, Tatham RL.Análise multivariada de dados 6a ed. Porto Alegre: Bookman; 2009.
  • 12
    Harding TW, De Arango MV, Baltazar J, Climent CE, Ibrahim HHA, Ladrido-Ignacio L et al. Mental disorders in primary health care: a study of their frequency and diagnosis in four developing countries. Psychol Med 1980;10(2):231-41. DOI:10.1017/S0033291700043993
  • 13
    Henson RK. Understanding internal consistency reliability estimates: a conceptual primers on coefficient alpha. Meas Eval Couns Dev 2001:34(3):177-88.
  • 14
    Iacoponi E, Mari JJ. Reability and factor structure of the Portuguese version of Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Int J Soc Psychiatry 1989;35(3):213-22. DOI:10.1177/002076408903500301
  • 15
    Krathwohl DR. Methods of educational and social science research: an integrated approach. 2nd ed. New York: Longman; 1998.
  • 16
    Maroco J, Garcia-Marques T. Qual a fiabilidade do alpha de Cronbach? Questões antigas e soluções modernas? Lab Psicol.2006;4(1):65-90.
  • 17
    Nunnaly J. Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1978.
  • 18
    Osburn HG. Coefficient alpha and related internal consistency reliability coefficients. Psychol Methods. 2000;5(3):343-55. DOI:10.1037/1082-989X.5.3.343
  • 19
    Ponterotto JG, Ruckdeschel D. An overview of coefficient alpha and a reliability matrix for estimating adequacy of internal consistency coefficients with psychological research measures. Percept Mot Skills 2007;105(3):997-1014. DOI:10.2466/pms.105.3.997-1014
  • 20
    Prisco AP, Araújo TM, Almeida MMG, Santos KOB. Prevalência de transtornos alimentares em trabalhadores urbanos de município do Nordeste do Brasil. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2013;18(4):1109-18. DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232013000400024
  • 21
    Santos KOB, Araújo TM, Oliveira NF. Estrutura fatorial e consistência interna do Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) em população urbana. Cad Saude Publica. 2009;25(1):214-22. DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000100023
  • 22
    Scazufca M, Menezes PR, Vallada H, Araya R. Validity of the self reporting questionnaire-20 in epidemiological studies with older adults: results from the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2009;44(3):247-54. DOI:10.1007/s00127-008-0425-y
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  • Funding: Conselho Nacional do Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq – Process 304563/2014-5).

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2016

History

  • Received
    5 Jan 2015
  • Accepted
    21 May 2015
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