Psychometric Properties of the K10 Scale in Adolescents: Results from Two Representative General Population Studies in Mexico
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Abstract
Introduction. Mental disorders represent a significant burden of disease among adolescents. In Mexico, epidemiological evidence underscores the urgent need for brief, valid screening instruments for this age group. Although the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is widely used in adult populations, its psychometric properties have not been formally evaluated in Mexican adolescents.
Objective. To describe the psychometric properties and validity of the K10 in Mexican adolescents using two representative general population studies.
Method. Data from the Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey (ESMA 2005, n = 3,005, Mexico City Metropolitan Area) and the National Survey on Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use (ENCODAT 2025, n = 3,847, nationwide) were analyzed. Internal consistency, factor structure, measurement invariance by sex and age group, criterion validity using ROC curves (against CIDI diagnoses in the ESMA), and eight-year predictive validity were assessed.
Results. The K10 showed a unidimensional structure with adequate internal consistency (α and ω #cer# .88) in both studies. Invariance analyses in the ENCODAT confirmed equivalence by sex and age group. Areas under the curve for major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder were .88 and .85 respectively. The 22+ cutoff showed a better balance of sensitivity and specificity than the 25+ cutoff, although only the latter was associated with a higher eight-year incidence of mood disorders.
Discussion and conclusion. The K10 is a valid, reliable instrument for screening psychological distress in Mexican adolescents. A cutoff point of 22+ is recommended for clinical settings and of 25+ for population-based or epidemiological studies.
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