The evaluation of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) reliability generalization: A meta-analysis.

While reaffirming the GHQ-12's utility in mental health assessment, our findings urge a more cautious and context-aware application of the questionnaire. The substantial heterogeneity and variability in reliability scores indicate a need for further research. Future studies should explore the reasons behind this variability, focusing on cultural, socio-economic, and methodological factors that might influence the GHQ-12's reliability. This critical analysis underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the GHQ-12's applicability and the importance of tailoring mental health assessment tools to specific population characteristics.