Development of “Mental Health Outreach Practice Self-Evaluation Scale”: Verication of Reliability and Valibity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a mental health outreach practice self-evaluation scale and examine its reliability and validity. The items were created using a draft based on previous research conducted in Japan and overseas, and through interviews with mental health professionals. We conducted a questionnaire survey with mental health professionals using the 25-item original scale and received 199 valid responses. The results of the exploratory factor analysis indicated a 20 item, three factor structure: [Execution of support plan in the outreach team], [Grasp of functioning of clients], [Support of clients’ personal recovery]. The factor analysis indicated an acceptable model fit, and significant correlations between the factors indicated the scale’s criterion related validity. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was acceptable indicating internal consistency. The reliability and validity of the mental health outreach practice self-evaluation scale suggest that it is a statistically acceptable scale.