Validity and psychometric properties of the Self-Identification as Having a Mental Illness Scale (SELF-I) among currently untreated persons with mental health problems

PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH

卷:273

Article

Schomerus, Georg¹  Muehlan, Holger²  Auer, Charlotte³  Horsfield, Philip¹  Tomczyk, Samuel²  Freitag, Simone²  Evans-Lacko, Sara⁴  Schmidt, Silke²  Stolzenburg, Susanne¹ 

[1] Univ Med Greifswald, Dept Psychiat, Ellernholzstr 2, D-17475 Greifswald, Germany

[2] Univ Greifswald, Dept Hlth & Prevent, Greifswald, Germany

[3] Univ Lubeck, Dept Psychiat & Psychotherapy, Lubeck, Germany

[4] London Sch Econ & Polit Sci, Personal Social Serv Res Unit, London, England

关键词: Self-identification;    Mental illness;    Stigma;    Psychometrics;    Scale;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.054

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Conceptualizing own symptoms as potential signs of a mental illness is an important, yet under-researched step towards appropriate help. Few validated measures address recognition and identification of own mental illness. Aim of this study is to investigate performance and correlates of the 'Self-Identification as Having a Mental Illness' scale (SELF-I) in a group of 229 currently untreated individuals with mental health problems, predominantly depression. Measures included: self-identification with having a mental illness (SELF-I), depressive and somatic symptom severity (PHQ-9 and PHQ-15), illness perceptions (B-IPQ-R-C), and sociodemographic variables. Principal-component analysis revealed in a unidimensional factor structure. The SELF-I showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha, 0.85-0.87) and re-test reliability over three months (Intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.74). Associations with depressive symptoms, previous treatment experiences and self-labelling demonstrated construct and criterion validity. Low associations with somatic symptoms and with illness-perceptions as measured by the B-IPQ-R-C indicated discriminant validity. We did not observe any floor or ceiling effects. The SELF-I scale is a brief, unidimensional and reliable measure of self-identification as having a mental illness that offers useful research perspectives.

【 授权许可】

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