Psychological Disorders in Old Age Better Identification for Better Treatment

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Ayis, S (Author) Other; Constança Paúl (Author) ICBAS; Ebrahim, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Psychological Assessment

Vol. 26

Pages: 39-45

ISSN: 1015-5759

Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-ATR

DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000006

Abstract (EN): Optimal cutoff points based on response to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) used to identify cases of psychological disorder have serious limitations. We used a latent class model (LCM) to improve case identification, on a national survey data of 999 individuals aged 65 + years, living in Britain. The method suggested three clusters of homogeneous response to GHQ-12, comprising 70% noncases, 24% possible, and 6%, probable cases. The three groups differ in characteristics including objective ones, such as health and subjective such as optimism. The solution seems sensible in recognizing a range of case severity, which will help in applying suitable interventions on mild and moderate cases that are common among older people and are likely to become more serious.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7