GHQ (General Health Questionnaire) Assessment for Children:

General Health Questionnaire Assessment for Children:

The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) is a collection of broad person-reported outcomes measures
intended to assess a child's or adolescent's quality of life in connection to their health. For children aged
5 to 18, the parent-reported version measures 14 unique physical and psychological factors.

Alternative Reactions:

There are numerous GHQ possibilities for responses; for instance, some scales ask about the most
recent four weeks, global health items inquire about health "in general," and global change items
inquire about changes from a year ago. The scales also provide 4-6 levels of answer choices.

Please pay close attention to what follows:

Answer all the questions on the next pages by simply underlining the one that, in your opinion, best
describes you. Please let us know if you have any medical concerns and how your health has been
overall during the past several weeks. Please only submit current and fresh complaints; do not submit
old ones. You should make an effort to respond to each inquiry.

Have You Recently:

GHQ1.A 1. Been able to concentrate on Better than Same as Less than Much less
whatever you’re doing? usual usual than usual than usual
usual than
usual
GHQ2.A 2. Lost much sleep over worry? Not at all No more Rather Much more
than usual more than usual
GHQ3.A 3. Been having restless, Not at all No more Rather Much more
disturbed nights? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ4.A 4. Been managing to keep More so Same as Rather less Much less
yourself busy and occupied? than usual usual than usual than usual
GHQ5.A 5. Been getting out of the house More so Same as Less than Much less
as much as usual? than usual usual usual than usual
GHQ6.A 6. Been managing as well as Better About the Rather less Much less
most people would in your than most same well well
shoes?
GHQ7.A 7. Felt on the whole you were Better than About the Less well Much less
doing things well usual same than usual well
GHQ8. A 8. Been satisfied with the way More About Less Much less
you’ve carried out your task? satisfied same as satisfied satisfied
usual than usual
GHQ9.A 9. Been able to feel warmth and Better than About Less well Much less
affection for those near to you? usual same as than usual well
 usual
GHQ10.A 10. Been finding it easy to get Better than About Less well Much less
on with other people? usual same as than usual well
usual
GHQ10.A 11. Spent much time chatting More time About Less time Much less
with people? than usual same as than usual than usual
usual
GHQ12.A 12. Felt that you are playing a More so Same Less useful Much less
useful part
GHQ13.A 13. Felt capable of making More so Same as Less so than Much less
decisions about things? than usual usual usual capable

Have you recently:

GHQ14.A 14. Felt constantly under strain? Not at all No more Rather Much more
than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ15.A 15. Felt you couldn’t overcome Not at all No more Rather Much more
your difficulties? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ16.A 16. Been finding life a struggle Not at all No more Rather Much more
all the time? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ17.A 17. Been able to enjoy your More so Same as Less so than Much less
normal day-to-day activities? than usual usual usual than usual
GHQ18.A 18. Been taking things hard? Not at all No more Rather Much more
than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ19.A 19. Been getting scared or Not at all No more Rather Much more
panicky for no good reason? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ20.A 20. Been able to face up to your More so Same as Less able Much less
problems? than usual usual than usual able

GHQ21. A 21. Found everything getting on Not at all No more Rather Much more
top of you? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ22.A 22. Been feeling unhappy and Not at all No more Rather Much more
depressed? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ23.A 23. Been losing confidence in Not at all No more Rather Much more
yourself? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ24.A 24. Been thinking of yourself as Not at all No more Rather Much more
a worthless person? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ25.A 25. Felt that life is entirely Not at all No more Rather Much more
hopeless? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ26.A 26. Been feeling hopeful about More so About Less so than Much less
your own future? than usual same as usual hopeful
usual
GHQ27.A 27. Been feeling reasonably More so About Less so than Much less
happy, all things considered? than usual same as usual than usual
usual
GHQ28.A 28. Been feeling nervous and Not at all No more Rather Much more
strung-up the time? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ29.A 29. Felt that life isn’t worth Not at all No more Rather Much more
living? than usual more than than usual
usual
GHQ30.A 30. Found at times you couldn’t Not at all No more Rather Much more
do anything because your than usual more than than usual
nerves were too bad? usual

The item content of the GHQ survey is as follows:

In general, how would you rate your child's health?

1. Doing activities that require a lot of energy, like playing soccer or running, doing
activities that require a little energy, like riding a bike or skating, being able to physically
get around the neighborhood, playground, or school, walking one block or climbing one
flight of stairs, bending, lifting, or stooping, or taking care of themselves—have your
child's participation in any of these been restricted due to health issues?
2. Has your child's ability to complete his or her schoolwork or engage in social activities
been hindered in any of the following ways as a result of emotional issues or behavioral
issues? - limited in the types of schoolwork or extracurricular activities he or she could
engage in; limited in the time he or she could devote to schoolwork or extracurricular
activities; limited in the activities with friends that he or she could engage in?
3. Has your child's ability to accomplish schoolwork or engage in activities with friends been
restricted in any of the following ways as a result of physical health issues? For example,
has he or she been constrained in the kind of activities they can engage in or the amount
of time they can devote to them?
4. How much physical discomfort or suffering has your child experienced?
5. How frequently has your child experienced physical discomfort?
6. How frequently did your child engage in frequent arguments, struggle with
concentration or paying attention, lie or cheat, steal, or throw tantrums?
7. How would you rank your child's behavior in general, compared to other kids his/her
age?
8. How frequently do you believe your child: wanted to weep; felt lonely; acted nervously;
was concerned or agitated; or was happy?
9. How happy do you believe your child has been with: his or her schoolwork; athletic
prowess; friendships; appearance/looks; family ties; and life in general? Another?
10. My child seems to be less healthy than other children I know, my child has never had a
serious illness, my child typically contracts whatever is going around, I expect my child to
have a very healthy life, and my child has never had a serious illness. This makes me
worry more about my child's health than other people do.
11. How would you rate your child's health today verses a year ago?

12. Which aspect of your child's physical well-being, mental state, behavior, attention span,
or capacity for learning caused you the most emotional stress or worry?

13. Did the time you had for your own needs get in the way of your child's physical health,
emotional well-being or behavior, attention span, or learning capacity?

14. My child seems to be less healthy than other children I know, my child has never had a
serious illness, my child typically contracts whatever is going around, I expect my child to
have a very healthy life, and my child has never had a serious illness. This makes me
worry more about my child's health than other people do.
15. How would you rate your child's health today verses a year ago?

General Health Questionnaire:

Parent Form:

How would you rank your child's general health?

1. Has your child's participation in any of the following activities been restricted because of health
issues? Performing sports that need a lot of energy, like soccer or running; engaging in activities
that demand some energy, like biking or skating; and bending, lifting, or stooping.
2. Has your child's ability to focus on schoolwork or activities with friends been hindered as a result
of emotional issues or behavioral issues?
3. Has your child's physical health caused restrictions on the kind of academics or activities they
could engage in with friends?
4. How frequently has your child experienced physical discomfort?
5. How often did your child engage in frequent arguments, struggle with concentration or paying
attention, or lie or cheat?
6. How would you rank your child's behavior in general, compared to other kids his/her age?
7. How frequently do you believe your child was lonely, anxious, troubled, or upset?
8. How satisfied do you believe your child has been with his or her overall life, friendships, and
school performance?
9. My child doesn't seem to be as healthy as other kids I know; she's never had a significant illness;
and I worry more about her health than other people do.
10. How would you rank the health of your child today compared to one year ago?
11. Which of the following caused you the most emotional anxiety or concern? Your child's physical
health; mental well-being; or behavior
 12. Were you constrained in your ability to take care of yourself because of your child's conduct,
mental state, or physical health?
13. How frequently have your child's health or behavior restricted the kinds of family activities you
could engage in or interfered with routine family activities like eating meals together and watching
TV?
14. How well do you think your family gets along with one another in general?

General Health Questionnaire:

Child Form:

How would you describe the overall state of your health?

1. Has it been difficult for you to perform the following tasks because of your health issues: perform
activities that require a lot of energy, like playing soccer or running; perform activities that require a
little energy, like riding a bike or skating; be able to physically move around the neighborhood,
playground, or school; be able to walk one block or climb one flight of stairs; perform tasks around
the house; bend, lift, or stoop; eat, dress, and perform other daily activities?
2. Has it been challenging to complete specific types of schoolwork or activities with friends because
of issues like feeling down or anxious; to devote the normal amount of time to completing
schoolwork or engaging in activities with friends; or to do any schoolwork at all?
3. Has it been challenging for you to complete specific types of homework or activities with friends,
spend the recommended amount of time on schoolwork or activities with friends, or even do any
schoolwork at all?
4. Has it been difficult for you to complete schoolwork or activities with friends due of issues with your
physical health? Has it been challenging for you to complete schoolwork or activities with friends at
all?
5. How much physical discomfort or agony have you experienced? How often have you felt pain or
discomfort in your body?
6. How frequently did you fit each of the following descriptions; acted too young for your age, argued,
had trouble paying attention, did not do what your teacher or parent asked you to do, wanted to be
alone, lied or cheated, had difficulty making friends, felt clumsy, fled from home, had difficulty
speaking, stole from home or from places outside the home, acted mean or moody if you did not
get what you wanted, got extremely angry when you did not get what you wanted, found it difficult
to be with others, and had difficulty getting along with others.
7. How would you assess your behavior generally in comparison to other kids your age?
8. How often do you feel depressed, want to weep, terrified, anxious, worried, lonely, unhappy, tense,
troubled, or agitated; joyful; cheerful; love what you do; have fun; jittery or restless; unable to fall
asleep; experiencing headaches; and feeling like yourself?
9. How positive or negative do you feel about yourself, your work, your ability to play sports, your
friendships, the things you can do, how you get along with others, how you feel the majority of the
time, how you get along with your family, how life seems to be for you, how you can be a friend to
others, how others seem to feel about you, how you can communicate with others, and how you
feel about your general health?
10. I used to be so sick that I thought I might die, but I never seem to be as sick as other kids I know; I've
never had a severe illness, yet I seem to get sick; I think I will be less healthy when I get older; I think
I will be very healthy when I get older; I never worry about my health; I think I am healthy now; I
think I worry more about my health than other kids my age.
11. How would you rank your health today compared to a year ago?
12. How frequently has your health or behavior restricted the kinds of family activities you could
engage in; interfered with routine family activities; made it more difficult for your family to "pick up
and go"; caused tension or conflict; been a cause of disagreements or arguments in your family;
forced your family to change or cancel plans at the last minute?
13. How well do you think your family gets along with one another in general?

General Health Questionnaire:

Child Form:

How would you describe the overall state of your health?

1. Have you found it challenging to perform the following activities because of your health issues:
activities requiring a lot of energy, like playing soccer or running; activities requiring some energy,
like riding a bike or skating; activities requiring you to walk several blocks or climb several flights of
stairs; activities requiring you to stoop, lift, or bend;
2. Has it been challenging to devote the normal amount of time to schoolwork or activities with
friends; complete any schoolwork; or engage in any activities with friends as a result of issues with
your behavior or feelings of sadness or worry?
3. Have issues with your physical health made it challenging for you to complete your schoolwork,
participate in activities with friends, or even get any work done at all?
4. How much physical discomfort or agony have you experienced? How often have you felt pain or
discomfort in your body?
5. How frequently did you act too young for your age, quarrel, have trouble paying attention, refuse
to do what your teacher or parent asked you to do, lie or cheat, appear unpleasant or grumpy, or
become really irate if you did not get your way?
6. How would you assess your behavior generally in comparison to other kids your age?
7. How often did you experience the following emotions: sadness, fear, concern, happiness,
excitement, and enjoyment of your activities? Suffer headaches or difficulties falling asleep?
8. How positive or negative have you felt about your relationships with others, your abilities, your
ability to get along with people, your body and appearance, your capacity to be a friend to others,
how people seem to view you, and your communication skills?
9. I feel less healthy than other young people I know; I believe I will feel healthier as I age; I believe I
am currently healthy; however, I believe I will feel much healthier as I age.
10. How would you rank your health today compared to a year ago?
11. How frequently has your health or behavior restricted the kinds of family activities you could
engage in, interfered with routine family activities, or made it harder for your family to "pick up
and go"?
12. How well do you think your family gets along with one another in general?