Construction and Validation of the Positive Mental Health Literacy Assessment Scale in Adults

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Chaves, C (Author) Other; Duarte, J (Author) Other; Sampaio, F (Author) ESEP; Coelho, J (Author) Other; Gonçalves, A (Author) Other; Santos, V (Author) Other; Sequeira, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Vol. 20

Final page: 6391

ISSN: 1661-7827

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Y-P0B

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146391

Abstract (EN): Low mental health literacy levels have a profound negative effect on healthcare outcomes, usage of healthcare services and healthcare expenditure. To date, there is little research and a lack of instruments available to address and assess positive mental health literacy levels in community-dwelling adults. Thus, this study sought to develop an instrument to assess positive mental health literacy in adults and to evaluate its psychometric properties. A scale developed in European Portuguese and composed of 32 items was designed to assess positive mental health literacy among community-dwelling adults and was validated using exploratory factor analysis. Five latent factors were identified (decision making, prosocial attitudes, perception of resources, community involvement, and problem solving), whose hypothesised structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling. Evidence showed that the scale¿s factor structure is reliable and valid and adequately represents the theorised constructs. Thus, this may be a useful assessment tool for clinical practice since it will allow a more rigorous assessment of positive mental health literacy and better mental health promotion interventions in the population. © 2023 by the authors.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific