BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study measured Protestant Christians' beliefs about mental illness using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI). METHODS: This study used a state-of-the-art item response theory technique, namely the Rasch rating scale model (RRSM), to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BMI and to produce a ruler of the construct hierarchy. RESULTS: Using Messick's framework for evaluating construct validity, sufficient evidence was obtained that suggests the BMI is psychometrically sound regarding substantive, content, structural, and generalizable aspects of validity. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI is a psychometrically sound instrument that is appropriate for measuring beliefs toward mental illness.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study measured Protestant Christians' beliefs about mental illness using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI). METHODS: This study used a state-of-the-art item response theory technique, namely the Rasch rating scale model (RRSM), to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BMI and to produce a ruler of the construct hierarchy. RESULTS: Using Messick's framework for evaluating construct validity, sufficient evidence was obtained that suggests the BMI is psychometrically sound regarding substantive, content, structural, and generalizable aspects of validity. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI is a psychometrically sound instrument that is appropriate for measuring beliefs toward mental illness.
Authors: Eyasu H Tesfamariam; Medhane M Tekie; Amos Y Tesfa; Dawit H Hadgu; Eyob A Awalom; Eyob B Ghebremedhin; Nebay A Tquabo Journal: Psychiatry J Date: 2018-11-01