J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2024 Mar;33(1):40-50. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2024.33.1.40.

Validation of the Korean version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale

• Ko H

• KMID: 2554255
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2024.33.1.40

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy measure (MMHL) scale, originally comprising 26 items in English, for both adolescents and adults.
Methods
Participants ranging from their teens to their 60s were engaged. The study utilized both exploratory factor analysis (n=242) and confirmatory factor analysis (n=252) to assess its psychometric properties.
Results
The Korean adaptation comprised 16 items, delineating into three factors: beliefs about mental health (eight items), perception of mental health resources (four items), and knowledge of mental health (four items), accounting for 55.8% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a model fit (x² =170.45, Comparative Fit Index=.94, Tucker Lewis Index=.93, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=.05). Criterion-related validity was confirmed through significant correlations between the Korean Mental Health Literacy Scale (r=.40, p<.001) and attitudes toward seeking professional help (r=.44, p<.001). The reliability coefficient, assessed using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, yielded .83.
Conclusion
Overall, this study validates the Korean version of Mental Health Literacy Scale for both adolescents and adults, affirming its utility in assessing mental health understanding.

Keyword

Mental health; Literacy; Validation study; Factor analysis; 정신건강; 이해력; 타당도 연구; 요인분석