Development and validation of a Mental Health Self-Care Scale in Peruvian adults Mental Health Self-Care in Peruvian adults

Lam-Flores S.L.; Alva-Olivos M.A.; Turriate-Chávez J.; Castillo-Vásquez J.S. · Poblacion y Salud en Mesoamerica (2024) · DOI: 10.15517/psm.v21i2.56277

Resumen

Introduction: Mental health care has been identified as an important component within the general health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to develop and validate the Mental Health Self-Care Scale (ESAMEN), collecting evidence about its factorial and convergent validity and its internal consistency. Method: Quantitative approach, cross-sectional instrumental, design 506 Peruvian residents over 18 years of age (mean age = 25.5 and SD = 10.5) of both sexes participated in the study in 2021. An exploratory factor analysis was carried out to identify the structure of the mental health self-care variable. Results: A structure with three dimensions was identified: mental (α = 0.95), social (α = 0.95) and spiritual (α = 0.96). Corroborating the evidence of convergent validity, the dimensions of the ESAMEN showed expected correlations with the measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, eustress and distress. Conclusion: The final version of the ESAMEN, made up of 16 items, presents adequate psychometric evidence to evaluate mental health self-care, and can be used in studies in the Peruvian context.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú; Universidad Nacional del Santa