Reliability and convergent validity of the PHQ-2 for the rapid detection of depressive symptoms in healthcare professionals in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals has increased significantly, highlighting the need for valid and reliable ultra-rapid screening tools in high-demand clinical settings. Objective: To analyze the reliability and convergent validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) among healthcare professionals in Argentina. Method: A cross-sectional eHealth study was conducted with 2,835 healthcare professionals (47% men, 53% women) working in public (57.2%) and private (42.8%) institutions. Participants completed the PHQ-2, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Mini-Z scales in two phases, with a three-month interval. The convergent validity of the test was determined by comparing it with the original version of the PHQ, an anxiety test (GAD-7), and a burnout test (Mini-Z). In addition, internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and McDonald's omega coefficient. Results: The PHQ-2 showed a unidimensional structure, explaining 73% of the variance, and demonstrated strong convergent validity, with high correlations with the PHQ-9 (r = 0.836; p < 0.001) and the GAD-7 (r = 0.724; p < 0.001), and a moderate correlation with the Mini-Z (r = 0.568; p < 0.001). Internal consistency was satisfactory (α = 0.75; ω = 0.85), confirming its reliability as a screening tool. Conclusions: The PHQ-2 is a valid and reliable instrument for the ultra-rapid detection of depressive symptoms in healthcare professionals in Argentina. Its strong psychometric properties and brief format make it a useful tool for mental health screening in high-demand healthcare settings.