Critical Synthesis Package: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale

• Main Authors: Lori Welch (Author), Michael Vitacco (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Association of American Medical Colleges, 2015-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10072; 2374-8265
• Keywords: DREAM; Directory and Repository of Educational Assessment Measures; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; K10; K6; Medicine (General); R5-920; Education; L
• Source: MedEdPORTAL, Vol 11 (2015)

Abstract This Critical Synthesis Package contains: (1) a Critical Analysis of the psychometric properties and application to health sciences education for the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale: and (2) a copy of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale instrument and scoring guide developed by Ronald Kessler, PhD. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale is a brief measure that detects severity of symptoms that are closely associated with a variety of mental disorders. There are two versions, the K10 (10 items) and the K6 (6 items). Each has a self-report and interview format, and elevated scores indicate greater severity of distress. Some research suggests the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale yields a single factor of non-specific distress, while others suggest the presence of two or more factors. The single factor model has demonstrated acceptable fit for community samples, but a two factor model (with Depression and Anxiety forming distinct factors) appears more appropriate for clinical samples. Although the K10 has been used throughout the world with individuals from a variety of national and ethnic backgrounds in community settings, more investigation is needed into its use for clinical purposes with culturally diverse populations. The K10 has been used as a measure of severity of stress with patients in primary care settings, medical students, and physicians. Some uses in medical education include teaching health care providers the importance of assessing patients for stress and mental health concerns, empowering medical care providers to make recommendations and access community resources on behalf of patients with psychological distress, and enhancing medical education through programmatic interventions to reduce impaired performance and burnout.