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The Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC–SF) as a Measure of Well-Being in the Italian Context

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Abstract

We examined the structure, reliability, construct validity, and gender invariance of the Italian version of the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (Italian MHC–SF), a self-report questionnaire for positive mental health assessment developed by Keyes. The scale was administered to 1,438 Italian respondents, mainly from central and southern Italy, between the ages of 18 and 89 years (m = 47.12; SD = 19.56). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factors solution (emotional, psychological, and social) and a latent factor consisting of the three dimensions of well-being, and that the structure of the scale was the same for males and females. Results revealed a high internal reliability and moderate test–retest reliability. The subscales correlated positively with corresponding aspects of well-being and functioning, showing convergent validity. The scale correlated negatively and moderately with measures of mental illness, showing divergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis supported the hypothesis of two separate, but correlated, factors for mental health and mental illness, showing discriminant validity and support for the two-continua model. A categorical diagnosis of the presence of mental health and the absence of mental health was applied to the sample. The Italian MHC–SF is a reliable and valid instrument to measure well-being and the positive aspects of mental health.

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Correspondence to Vincenza Capone.

Appendix: Italian Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (Adult: Ages 18 or Older)

Appendix: Italian Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (Adult: Ages 18 or Older)

Risponda alle domande che seguono riguardo a come si è sentito/a durante l’ultimo mese.

Risponda contrassegnando con una crocetta l’opzione che più si avvicina alla sua posizione.

Please answer the following questions are about how you have been feeling during the past month. Place a check mark in the box that best represents how often you have experienced or felt the following:

Nell’ultimo mese quanto spesso … [During the past month, how often did you feel…]

MAI [NEVER]

UNA O DUE VOLTE [ONCE OR TWICE]

CIRCA UNA VOLTA A SETTIMANA [ABOUT ONCE A WEEK]

CIRCA DUE O TRE VOLTE ALLA SETTIMANA [ABOUT 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK]

QUASI OGNI GIORNO [ALMOST EVERY DAY]

OGNI GIORNO [EVERY DAY]

1.Ti sei sentito felice [Happy]

      

2.Ti sei sentito interessato alla vita [Interested in life]

      

3.Ti sei sentito soddisfatto [Satisfied with life]

      

4.Hai sentito di poter fare qualcosa di importante per la società [That you had something important to contribute to society]

      

5.Ti sei sentito parte di una comunità (un gruppo o il tuo quartiere) [That you belonged to a community (like a social group, or your neighborhood)]

      

6.Hai sentito che la nostra società sta diventando un posto migliore per gente come te [That our society is a good place, or is becoming a better place, for all people]

      

7.Hai sentito che le persone sono fondamentalmente buone [That people are basically good]

      

8.Hai sentito che il modo in cui funziona la nostra società ha un senso per te [That the way our society works makes sense to you]

      

9.Hai sentito che ti piacciono la maggior parte degli aspetti della tua personalità [That you liked most parts of your personality]

      

10.Ti sei sentito bene nel gestire le responsabilità della tua vita quotidiana [Good at managing the responsibilities of your daily life]

      

11.Hai sentito di avere delle relazioni sincere e cordiali con gli altri [That you had warm and trusting relationships with others]

      

12.Hai sentito di aver avuto delle esperienze che ti hanno aiutato a crescere e a diventare una persona migliore [That you had experiences that challenged you to grow and become a better person]

      

13.Ti sei sentito capace di pensare o esprimere le tue idee e opinioni [Confident to think or express your own ideas and opinions]

      

14.Hai sentito che la tua vita ha un senso [That your life has a sense of direction or meaning to it]

      

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Petrillo, G., Capone, V., Caso, D. et al. The Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC–SF) as a Measure of Well-Being in the Italian Context. Soc Indic Res 121, 291–312 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0629-3

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