SCREENING FOR PSYCHOLOGICALLY TRAUMATIZED RAPE VICTIMS

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the General Health Qu estionnaire, a simple psychological screening instrument, could be use ful to non-specialists in screening for psychologically traumatized ra pe victims. Study design: 285 rape victims (mean age 22.5, men 8%) att ending consecutively a Consultation for Victims of Psychological Traum a at the University Hospital in Tours, France, were assessed through t he Structured Interview for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (SI-PTSD), and the French 28-item version of the self-rated General Health Questi onnaire (GHQ-28). Results: 70% had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTS D) and 72% a GHQ-28 overthreshold score. The principal component analy sis of the GHQ-28 ratings yielded a 4-factor solution: social dysfunct ion, feeling of foreshortened future type of depression, somatoform co mplaints and hyperalertness anxiety. GHQ-28 reliability and validity i n screening for PTSD were studied through computation of Cronbach's al pha: coefficient (0:95), sensitivity (88%) and positive predictive val ue (86%). Conclusion: Using the GHQ-28 is valid and appropriate for pr actical use. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.