The symptom check-list-90-R (SCL-90-R): A German validation study

The Symptom Check-List-90-R (SCL-90-R) is a widely used psychological statu s symptom inventory. The properties of the German SCL-90-R version were stu died in two clinical samples: psychosomatic outpatients and primary care pa tients. The data were compared with a German community sample. The internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficients, was found to be hi gh, for the global scale and all original subscales. Mokken scale analysis indicated hierarchical structure for most of the subscales. Concurrent vali dity, evaluated by studying the relationship between the SCL-90-R subscales and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was also high. On the basis of receiver operating c haracteristic (ROC) analyses, it was found that the SCL-90-R was able to di fferentiate between subjects known to have a given psychological disorder a nd those who do not. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysi s failed to support the original nine factor model and two subsequent facto r models. The strong interdependence of the original subscales and the stro ng first unrotated factor of the exploratory factor analyses raised concern regarding the multi-dimensionality of the SCL-90-R subscales. We concluded that the SCL-90-R is a useful tool for measuring psychological status, mea suring change in outcome studies, or screening for mental disorders.