Date of Award
1-1-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
First Advisor
John N. Young
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This study presents the results of both factor analyses in developing the General Psychological Distress Screener (GPDS), and provides preliminary data of its predictive validity. As a new screening instrument, the GPDS assesses mental fatigue and emotional distress in adults and predicts certain psychiatric disorder diagnoses. Drawing upon network analysis principles, two studies were conducted to construct and refine the GPDS. Study 1 identified the variable constructs from psychopathology networks that were used in Study 2. Study 2 used principal axis factoring to develop a 4-factor solution, which was subsequently reduced to a 2-factor model for improved interpretability. Confirmatory Factor Analysis validated the GPDS structure, indicating good to excellent factor loadings and improved fit after adjusting error correlations. Validation with 88 participants confirmed the GPDS's significant predictive power for determining the presence of current psychiatric disorders. A Binary logistic regression indicated a strong association between GPDS scores and diagnostic status, with each unit increase correlating with a 767% rise in the likelihood of diagnosis. The GPDS offers a reliable screening tool grounded in contemporary psychopathology frameworks, and contributes to enhanced diagnostic assessment methods.
Recommended Citation
Bishop, Steven M., "Developing and Validating A Novel Screening Instrument for General Psychological Distress" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3005.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3005
