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Mental Health Literacy in Young Adults: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire

Author

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  • Pedro Dias

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
    Research Center for Human Development, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal)

  • Luísa Campos

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
    Research Center for Human Development, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal)

  • Helena Almeida

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal)

  • Filipa Palha

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
    Research Center for Human Development, Rua Diogo Botelho, 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
    ENCONTRAR+SE—Association for the Promotion of Mental Health, Rua Professor Melo Adrião 106, 4100-340 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Mental health literacy (MHL) is considered a prerequisite for early recognition and intervention in mental disorders, and for this reason, it has become a focus of research over the past few decades. Assessing this construct is relevant for identifying knowledge gaps and erroneous beliefs concerning mental health issues, to inform the development of interventions aimed at promoting mental health literacy as well as the evaluation of these interventions. Recently, we developed a new self-reporting measure (MHLq) for assessing mental health literacy in young people (12–14 years-old), meeting the need to assess MHL from a comprehensive perspective of the construct instead of focusing on a restricted number of mental disorders or specific dimensions (e.g., knowledge concerning specific disorders; stigma). The present study aimed to adapt the MHLq for the young adult population and to examine its psychometric properties, according to the following steps: (1) item adaptation, using a think aloud procedure (n = 5); (2) data collection (n = 356, aged between 18 and 25 years old; and (3) psychometric analyses (exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency analysis). The final version of the questionnaire included 29 items (total scale α = 0.84), organized by four dimensions: (1) knowledge of mental health problems (α = 0.74); (2) erroneous beliefs/stereotypes (α = 0.72); (3) help-seeking and first aid skills (α = 0.71); and (4) self-help strategies (α = 0.60). The results suggest that the MHLq-adult form is a practical, valid, and reliable screening tool for identifying gaps in knowledge, beliefs, and behavioral intentions related to mental health and mental disorders, planning promotion programs, and evaluating intervention effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Dias & Luísa Campos & Helena Almeida & Filipa Palha, 2018. "Mental Health Literacy in Young Adults: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1318-:d:154072
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Danran Bu & Pak-Kwong Chung & Chun-Qing Zhang & Jingdong Liu & Xiang Wang, 2020. "Mental Health Literacy Intervention on Help-Seeking in Athletes: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Jidapa Pruksarungruang & Douglas Rhein, 2022. "Depression Literacy: An Analysis of the Stigmatization of Depression in Thailand," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.
    3. Pi-Chun Hsu & I-Hsiung Chang & Ru-Si Chen, 2019. "Online Learning Communities and Mental Health Literacy for Preschool Teachers: The Moderating Role of Enthusiasm for Engagement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Xiang Wang & Wei Liang & Jingdong Liu & Chun-Qing Zhang & Yanping Duan & Gangyan Si & Danran Bu & Daliang Zhao, 2022. "Further Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Scale: Evidence from Chinese Elite Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Hsing-Jung Chao & Yin-Ju Lien & Yu-Chen Kao & I-Chuan Tasi & Hui-Shin Lin & Yin-Yi Lien, 2020. "Mental Health Literacy in Healthcare Students: An Expansion of the Mental Health Literacy Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.

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