Mental health self-management questionnaire: Development and psychometric properties

• Study aimed to develop and validate a self-report measure of self-management (MHSQ).
• MHSQ was based on a qualitative study with 50 people with mood/anxiety disorders.
• Factor analyses (N=149) revealed 3 factors: Clinical, Empowerment and Vitality.
• Findings support reliability (internal, test–retest) and construct validity of MHSQ.
• Self-management, as measured by MHSQ, is empirically distinct from recovery.

BackgroundThrough self-management, people living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorders can play an active role in their recovery. However, absence of a validated questionnaire limits empirical research on self-management. The study aimed to develop a French instrument, the Mental Health Self-Management Questionnaire (MHSQ), and to investigate its psychometric propertiesMethodsA pool of 86 items was created based on a qualitative study with 50 people in recovery from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorders. The 64 most pertinent items were identified following ratings from 14 experts. A sample of 149 people in recovery completed these items and criterion-related measures (specific aspects of self-management, clinical and personal recovery, social desirability), and 93 participants also completed MHSQ two weeks laterResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analyses show that MHSQ is composed of three subscales: Clinical (getting help and using resources), Empowerment (building upon strengths and positive self-concept to gain control) and Vitality (active and healthy lifestyle). These subscales had satisfying consistency and test–retest reliability, and were mostly unrelated to social desirability. Correlations with criterion variables support convergent and concurrent validity, especially for Empowerment and Vitality. Comparison of structural models provides evidence of the distinct nature of MHSQ in comparison to the constructs of clinical and personal recoveryLimitationsLongitudinal studies with larger samples are needed to explore the validity of MHSQ for predicting recovery over timeConclusionMHSQ is a psychometrically-sound instrument, useful for establishing the role of self-management in recovery and monitoring the efficacy of self-management support programs.