Development of a Simple Version of the 27-item Version of an Instrument to Measure Self-Efficacy for Social Participation of People with Mental Illness

Abstract

Background: People with severe mental illness can now function better in their communities because of improved local mental health services. Nevertheless, a convenient short scale for evaluating their functioning would be useful. Purpose: We simplified the 27-item version of an instrument measuring self-efficacy for social participation in mentally ill individuals (SESP27), creating an abridged 10-item version (SESP10). The validity and reliability of the SESP10 were then assessed. Methods: We administered the SESP27, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Norbeck’s Social Support Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale (13-item), and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire to 145 community-dwelling mentally ill people using a psychiatric service. We also assessed how satisfied subjects were with their lives and whether they had any life goals. To verify the reliability of the SESP10, the SESP27 was distributed to the same participants about 1 month after the first survey. By referring to the factor structure of the SESP27, 10 items that were found to have high loadings were selected and used to create the SESP10. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the SESP10 maintained the four-factor structure of the SESP27, with sufficient content validity; these factors were: “trust in social self” (2 items), “self-management” (3 items), “social adaptability” (2 items), and “mutual support” (3 items). Furthermore, the SESP10 had excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion validity. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the SESP10 were confirmed. Because of its convenience, it can be widely applied to people with severe mental illness. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p50