Further testing of the Mental Health Problems Perception Questionnaire

AIM OF THE STUDY: This paper reports a two-part study relating to the further psychometric development of the Mental Health Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. BACKGROUND: The instrument was developed and used originally in a study to investigate the role of district nurses in caring for people with mental health problems, who live in rural settings. It is underpinned by an explicit theoretical framework in which therapeutic commitment, role support and role competency are core concepts. DESIGN: A two-part study is described. Part One used a test-retest method to examine the stability of the instrument on repeated administration. Part Two examined the instrument's internal reliability and construct validity by calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficients and exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Satisfactory internal reliability for a new instrument was demonstrated. Exploratory factor analysis supported the previously proposed theoretical framework. Significant correlations were demonstrated between the scales which constitute the instrument, thereby providing further evidence of construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Mental Health Problems Perceptions Questionnaire provides a potentially useful instrument in relation to future educational, clinical and managerial research.