Development of a Self-Assessment Scale for Negative Capability Among Professionals in Mental Health and Welfare

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a self-assessment scale for negative capability among professionals in mental health and welfare and to examine its reliability and validity.

Method: Based on a literature review and the results of a preliminary qualitative survey, a draft questionnaire consisting of 57 items and scale was developed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 386 nurses, psychologists, and mental health and welfare workers across 10 facilities to verify its reliability and validity.

Results: A total of 253 questionnaires were returned, and 241 with no missing data were analyzed. Through repeated exploratory factor analysis using maximum likelihood Promax rotation, 28 items were deleted, resulting in 29 items and two factors. The first factor was named “doing, emphasizing efficiency and results,” and the second factor was named “being, centered on observation and relaxation.” The overall Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.875, and the subscale coefficients ranged from 0.815 to 0.871.

Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the Negative Capability Self-Assessment Scale for mental health and welfare professionals were confirmed, and the possibility of using it as a basic resource for metacognitive understanding of the professional’s work attitude was suggested.