Psychometric properties of a Russian version of the SF-12 Health Survey in a refugee population

This project examined psychometric properties of a Russian translation of the 12-item Short-Form health survey questionnaire (SF-12) to assess physical and mental health status in members of the Russian-speaking refugee population. Translation and adaptation included (a) cross-cultural adaptation; (b) translation; (c) pre-testing; and (d) analysis of validity, reliability, and internal consistency. Seventeen Russian-speaking patients at a Russian psychiatric clinic were recruited for the study and were compared to a sample of 42 Russian-speaking members of the community. The instrument showed internal consistency when evaluated with coefficient alpha. As compared with community subjects, clinic patients had significantly lower scores, reflecting poorer physical and mental well being.