Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) in Iranian earthquake survivors

Post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among survivors of 2015 earthquake in Nepal

BACKGROUND

Natural disasters cause long term psychological consequences, especially post-traumatic stress disorders. It has been regarded as the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders after a natural disaster. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and determine its associated factors in adult survivors three years after the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive design was used where 1076 adults within the age range of 19-65 were randomly selected and interviewed from four adversely affected districts due to the 2015 earthquake. Instruments included a demographic questionnaire, an earthquake exposure questionnaire, the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS), and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 16 for data analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PTSD among earthquake survivors was 18.9%. The multivariate logistic regression showed that gender, ethnicity, education, occupation, social support and severity of damage to house and property were significantly associated with PTSD. Odds of having PTSD was 1.6 times higher among females (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and nearly 2 times higher amongst illiterate survivors (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2-2.8). Participants from the Janajati ethnic group and those who had a business occupation had a 50% lower risk of having PTSD. Around 39% of the participants had moderate social support and had 60% lower odds of having PTSD compared to those with poor social support (AOR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.5, p < 0.001). Participants with medium and very high-level damage to personal property were more likely to have PTSD.

CONCLUSION

Post-traumatic stress disorder remained prevalent amongst survivors three years after the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. It is important to provide psychological and social support for survivors to decrease the health burden from PTSD. Socio-demographic characteristics such as females, farmers, those survivors who endured significant personal property damage were at higher risk.

Development and Assessment of the Personal Emotional Capital Questionnaire for Adolescents

Higher emotional capital is associated with enhanced positive emotions, social relationships, social capital and human capital. The present study developed and evaluated a personal emotional capital questionnaire for adolescents (PECQ-A) that assessed 10 components of this capital. The PECQ-A was administrated to two samples of Iranian 15-year-olds from two Iranian cities (N1 = 600, N2 = 300, total N = 900) recruited using multistage random cluster sampling. A confirmatory factor analysis of the first sample confirmed the ten-factor structure of the PECQ-A. The reliability of PECQ-A was acceptable (Cronbach's α = .90, McDonald's ω = .88, AVE = .57, Composite reliability CR = .89). Analyses of the second sample revealed that the PECQ-A and its components exhibited convergent validity when compared to the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), the students' GPAs, and the students' mathematics and natural sciences scores. The PECQ-A demonstrated divergent validity when contrasted with the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21). Test-retest reliability was acceptable. Invariance measurement was confirmed for the PECQ-A. A MANOVA identified several gender differences. PECQ-A scores were not sensitive to the order that the questionnaires were administered. The results suggest that the PECQ-A is a valid and reliable measure of personal emotional capital suitable for use with adolescents.

Psychometric properties of the mental health continuum-short form in Iranian adolescents

Introduction

Psychological tests are necessary to assess the mental state of individuals. Mental health is one of the important psychological indicators and is increasingly considered as having various aspects of well-being. The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is a 14-item instrument that assesses mental health, focusing on emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The present study, the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the MHC-SF were examined in relation to its factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and gender measurement invariance among adolescents.

Methods

The population of this study was Iranian adolescents between 11-and 18-year-old who were enrolled in the seventh to twelfth grades. A convenience sample of 822 Adolescents from four large cities in the Iran (Tehran, Zanjan, Hamedan and Ghazvin) participated in the present study. Questionnaires were completed online. Statistical analyses to evaluate the factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, gender and age factorial invariance were performed in SPSS and LISREL.

Results

According to the results of confirmatory factor analysis, the MHC-SF is composed of three factors: emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha method and composite reliability (>0.7). Measurement invariance were confirmed among girls and boys. Convergent and divergent validity were also evaluated and confirmed by correlating the test score with similar and different tests.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the psychometric properties of MHC-SF in the Iranian adolescent community. This instrument can be used in psychological research and diagnostic evaluations.

Association of Ramadan Participation with Psychological Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

COVID-19 restrictions are associated with poor physical-activity (PA). Less is known about the relationship between the combination of these restrictions with Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), PA, mental health, and sleep-quality. The present study aimed to evaluate whether COVID-19 restrictions and RIF during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran are associated with poor PA, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality outcomes. A total of 510 individuals participated in an online questionnaire that was disseminated to adults (≥18 years) residing in Iran from 13 May 2021 to 16 May 2021 (~3 days), just after the end of Ramadan 2021. PA behavior (Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7), well-being (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form), and sleep-quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Of 510 individuals included in the study (331 female (64.9%); mean ± SD, 31 ± 12 years), 172 (33.7%) reported less PA during the Ramadan 2021. PA was associated with better well-being and sleep-quality outcomes. Regardless of PA, participants who fasted for all of Ramadan had less anxiety and better well-being outcomes than those who fasted part of Ramadan or did not fast at all. However, the fasting part of Ramadan decreased the sleep-quality of active participants. The Ramadan 2021 was associated with poor PA, well-being, and sleep-quality of Iranians. However, PA was associated with better well-being and sleep-quality outcomes, and those who fasted all Ramadan had better anxiety and well-being outcomes. Therefore, PA during Ramadan might be an essential and scalable mental health resilience builder during COVID-19 restrictions which should be encouraged.

Measurement and community antecedents of positive mental health among the survivors of typhoons Vamco and Goni during the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines

The present study examined the measurement and antecedents of positive mental health in people who concurrently experienced two disasters of different nature (i.e., typhoons and COVID-19 crisis), focusing on the survivors of typhoons Vamco and Goni that hit the Philippines in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we investigated the psychometric properties of Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), a well-validated measure of positive mental health dimensions (i.e., emotional, social, and psychological well-being) by: 1) comparing the structural validity of three measurement models including a single-factor, bifactor, and three-factor solutions of positive mental health; 2) looking into the criterion validity through correlating the MHC-SF subscales with relevant measures; and 3) calculating for item reliability. Second, we examined the mediating role of social responsibility in the positive influence of community resilience on the three dimensions of positive mental health. Using 447 participants, with ages ranging from 18 to 70 years old, confirmatory factor analysis showed that compared to the single-factor and the bifactor models, the intercorrelated three-factor model of MHC-SF has the best model fit and most stable factor loadings. MHC-SF subscales correlated with relevant measures indicating criterion validity and yielded excellent internal consistency for all subscales. Additionally, results showed that social responsibility mediated the positive impact of community resilience on emotional, social, and psychological well-being of Filipinos in times of great adversities. The findings were discussed within the context of extreme weather events and the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines, highlighting implications on disaster preparedness and mental health policies at the community level.

Reliability and validity assessment of the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form for Bangladeshi adults

There is a shortage of psychological tools to assess the mental well-being of Bangladeshi people covering the hedonic and the eudaimonic aspects of well-being. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Mental Health Continuum Short Form as this instrument assesses both the hedonic and the eudaimonic aspects of well-being. This study utilized online survey data (n = 361). Item analysis results showed that this scale had good discrimination indices, internal consistency reliability, and acceptable average inter-item correlations. Confirmatory factor analysis lent support to the three-factor correlated model with good model fits and sufficient factor loadings. Results from the multidimensional graded response model also supported the efficiency of this scale to assess the mental well-being of Bangladeshi adults. This scale had moderate correlations with perceived stress and anxiety. Overall, findings suggested this scale as a reliable and valid tool for assessing mental well-being. This scale would help mental health practitioners to assess mental well-being and formulate relevant interventions.

Validation of a Kazakhstani Version of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form

Positive mental health and well-being are significant dimensions of health, employment, and educational outcomes. Research on positive mental health and well-being requires measurement instruments in native languages for use in local contexts and target populations. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Kazakhstani version of the Mental Health Continuum—Short Form (MHC-SF), a brief self-report instrument measuring emotional, social, and psychological well-being. The sample included 664 University students (425 females) purposefully selected in three higher education institutions in South, East, and Central Kazakhstan. Their average age was 20.25 and ranged from 18 to 43. Participants completed a Kazakhstani version of the MHC-SF online. Statistical analyses to evaluate the structural validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Kazakhstani version of the MHC-SF were performed. The results confirmed the superiority of the bifactor model (i.e., three separated factors of well-being plus a general factor of well-being) over the alternatives. However, most of the reliable variance was attributable to the general well-being factor. Subscale scores were unreliable, explaining very low variance beyond that explained by the general factor. The findings demonstrated the measurement invariance of the MHC-SF across gender and age. Overall, these findings support the use of the Kazakhstani version of the MHC-SF to examine a general factor of well-being and the measurement invariance of the instrument across gender and age groups. However, the results advise against the interpretation of the subscale scores as unequivocal indicators of emotional, social, and psychological well-being.

The relationship between post-traumatic stress and positive mental health symptoms among health workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Lombardy, Italy

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing health workers (HW) worldwide to extreme burden and risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This problem emerged in Lombardy, the Italian region where the pandemic exacted the heaviest toll. Study aims were to assess mental health of HW in Lombardy after the peak of COVID-19 related hospitalizations, through the joint evaluation of PTSD and positive mental health; and to explore the potential role of positive mental health in PTSD development.

METHODS

HW completed an online survey including demographic and work-related information; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; Mental Health Continuum Short-Form. Analyses comprised calculation of percentages of participants meeting a provisional PTSD and mental health diagnosis (flourishing, moderate, languishing); a binary logistic regression with demographics, work-related features, and positive mental health as predictors, and provisional PTSD diagnosis as outcome.

RESULTS

Out of 653 participants, 39.8% received a provisional PTSD diagnosis; 33.4% reported flourishing, 57.7% moderate, and 8.9% languishing mental health. Regression analysis highlighted that women vs. men, nurses vs. technical/rehabilitation HW, frontline vs. second-line workers and languishing vs. moderately mentally healthy HW were more likely to receive a provisional PTSD diagnosis, whereas flourishing participants were more likely not to receive it. No role emerged for job seniority.

LIMITATIONS

Self-reported PTSD scores, stress symptoms related to COVID-19 considered as a global stressor, cross-sectional study design.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest the potential usefulness of supporting vulnerable HW categories during massive disease outbreaks through emergency-focused professional training and psychological intervention addressing both positive mental health promotion and PTSD prevention.

The Portuguese Adaptation of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form for Adult Population

The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is a self-report questionnaire that allows the assessment of positive mental health, including three well-being components-emotional, psychological and social-as well as the categorical diagnosis of the presence or absence of mental health. The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of MHC-SF and to examine whether this is an adequate measure of positive mental health for the Portuguese context. The participants included 1448 respondents between the ages of 18 and 94 (M = 33.15; SD = 16.3), 70.1% of which were females. Results confirm the reliability (α = .93), tripartite factor structure, and the external and internal validity of the MHC-SF. Data also supported the two-continuum model, with positive mental health and mental illness belonging to two correlated but distinct dimensions. These findings indicated that the Portuguese MHC-SF is valid instrument to measure well-being and positive mental health.

Prevalence and Determinants of PTSD 3 Years After an Earthquake in Iran

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most debilitating and costly mental health problems that can develop following exposure to natural disasters. Nevertheless, much remains unknown about how to best address PTSD and other mental health needs in disaster-stricken areas, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas. The present study is a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in rural areas that were affected by a destructive earthquake in Iran. The aim of the research is to explore the prevalence and determinants of PTSD among survivors 3 years after the earthquake. A multi-stage cluster random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 600 respondents between the ages of 18- and 87-years-old in affected areas. In the present sample, 224 individuals (37.3%) reported some PTSD symptoms. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of developing PTSD included being in a severely-stricken (as opposed to moderately-stricken) village and being female. However, there were no significant associations between PTSD and age groups, marital status, profession, and educational status. These results underscore the need for improved psychosocial interventions following disasters.