The Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18): norms for an Irish third-level college sample

A baseline assessment of mental health status was conducted in an Irish third-level student population. In addition to a number of other measures, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), a relatively new and unexamined measure in the Irish context, was administered. Based on a quota sample, data were collected from a sample of 763 participants. In line with previous findings, females reported significantly higher levels of symptomatology than males on all three subscales (Somatization, Depression and Anxiety) and the Global Severity Index. Final year students were also noted to have significantly worse mental health than non-final year students. In addition, differences were noted between the present Irish female sample and US women in BSI-18 scores. Results support the use of the BSI-18 in Ireland. The development of specific Irish norms is therefore proposed and provisional norms for third-level college students are provided.