Van Wijk, Charles H.Martin, Jarred H.Maree, David J.F.2022-06-072022-06-072021-08Van Wijk, G.H., Martin, J.H., & Maree, D.J.F. (2021). Clinical validation of brief mental health scales for use in South African occupational healthcare. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology/SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 47(0), a1895. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1895.0258-5200 (print)2071-0763 (online)10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1895https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/85720ORIENTATION: South Africa carries a high burden of mental ill-health. Screening to identify individuals for further referral is emerging as one pathway to promote access to mental health interventions. Existing occupational health surveillance infrastructure may be a useful mechanism for clinical mental health screening. RESEARCH PURPOSE: This study explored the clinical validity of a range of brief mental health measures in the context of occupational health surveillance. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: To meaningfully screen for mental health as part of occupational health surveillance, tools are required that are empirically validated, clinically useful, locally available and practical to administer. RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: Workers (n = 1816), recruited through workplace occupational health surveillance programmes, completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Brief Symptom Inventory 18-somatisation subscale, Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale-7, Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen, Intense (panic-like) anxiety scale and CAGE scale and partook in a diagnostic interview with a clinical psychologist. MAIN FINDINGS: Basic psychometric characteristics were reported, including confirmatory factor analyses, measurement invariance, internal consistencies and socio-demographic effects. Clinical utility was explored through receiver operating/operator characteristics curve analyses, and calculations of positive and negative predictive values, as well as sensitivity and specificity. These indicators provided evidence of clinical validity in the study context. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings support the use of psychological screening as a brief, practicable and easily accessible mode of occupational mental health support. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This article presented evidence of structural and criterion validity for these scales and described their clinical application for practical use in occupational mental health surveillance.en© 2021. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Clinical screeningOccupational health surveillanceOccupational mental healthCut, annoyed, guilty, and eye (CAGE)Generalized anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7)Primary care PTSD screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5)Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)Article