Psychometric properties of global mental health literacy measures

Abstract

Purpose

Since its initial development, numerous mental health literacy (MHL) definitions and associated measures have been created which have yet to be adequately evaluated. This paper aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of global MHL measures with the aim of identifying the most valid, reliable, responsive and interpretable measure.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review was conducted of studies that evaluated global MHL measures against at least one of the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) taxonomy properties; validity, reliability, responsivity or interpretability.

Findings

In total, 13 studies were identified which examined the psychometric properties of 7 MHL measures. Two of these seven measures were vignette format and the remaining five measures were questionnaires. The mental health promoting knowledge-10 and the multicomponent mental health literacy measure were the most psychometrically robust global MHL measures as they had the most psychometric properties rated as adequate. Both were shown to have adequate structural validity, internal consistency and construct validity. The two vignette measures, the MHL tool for the workplace and the vignette MHL measure, were both shown to only have adequate evidence for construct validity.

Originality/value

The current study is the first to systematically review research that evaluated the psychometric properties of global measures of MHL.

Citation

Fulcher, E. and Pote, H. (2021), "Psychometric properties of global mental health literacy measures", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 87-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-04-2020-0022