Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine
Abstract Background In Ukraine, a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and veterans experience social and psychological problems as a result of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Our purpose was to develop reliable and valid instruments to screen for common mental health...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-08-01
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| Series: | Conflict and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13031-018-0169-6 |
| _version_ | 1811267789327958016 |
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| author | S. Benjamin Doty Emily E. Haroz Namrita S. Singh Sergiy Bogdanov Judith K. Bass Laura K. Murray Karis L. Callaway Paul A. Bolton |
| author_facet | S. Benjamin Doty Emily E. Haroz Namrita S. Singh Sergiy Bogdanov Judith K. Bass Laura K. Murray Karis L. Callaway Paul A. Bolton |
| author_sort | S. Benjamin Doty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In Ukraine, a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and veterans experience social and psychological problems as a result of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Our purpose was to develop reliable and valid instruments to screen for common mental health and alcohol use problems in these populations. Methods We used a three-step process of instrument adaptation and testing. The instrument—the Mental Health Assessment Inventory (MHAI)—combines adapted standard screeners with items derived locally in Ukraine. A validity study was conducted using a sample of 153 adults (54% male) ages 18 years and older. All participants in the sample were IDPs or veterans living in or near the major urban areas of Kyiv and Zaporizhia. Reliability testing (internal consistency, test-retest) and validity testing (construct, criterion) of the MHAI were conducted using classical test theory. After initial testing, we used Item Response Theory (IRT) to shorten and further refine the instrument. Results The MHAI showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the main outcomes: depression (α = 0.94; r = .84), post-traumatic stress (PTS; α = 0.97; r = 0.87), anxiety (α = 0.90; r = 0.80), and alcohol use (α = 0.86; r = 0.91). There was good evidence of convergent construct validity among the scales for depression, PTS, and anxiety, but not for alcohol use. Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis supported use of shortened versions of the scales for depression, PTS, and anxiety, as they retained comparable psychometric properties to the full scales of the MHAI. Conclusion The findings support the reliability and validity of the assessment—the MHAI—for screening of common mental health problems among Ukrainian IDPs and veterans. Use of IRT shortened the instrument to improve practicality and potential sustainability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T21:09:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d883dcb3d8c4c8cb87605924f2f9ee2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1505 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T21:09:03Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conflict and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d883dcb3d8c4c8cb87605924f2f9ee22022-12-22T03:16:38ZengBMCConflict and Health1752-15052018-08-0112111310.1186/s13031-018-0169-6Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in UkraineS. Benjamin Doty0Emily E. Haroz1Namrita S. Singh2Sergiy Bogdanov3Judith K. Bass4Laura K. Murray5Karis L. Callaway6Paul A. Bolton7Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthCenter for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla AcademyDepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthDepartment of Psychology, Western Michigan UniversityDepartment of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthAbstract Background In Ukraine, a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and veterans experience social and psychological problems as a result of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Our purpose was to develop reliable and valid instruments to screen for common mental health and alcohol use problems in these populations. Methods We used a three-step process of instrument adaptation and testing. The instrument—the Mental Health Assessment Inventory (MHAI)—combines adapted standard screeners with items derived locally in Ukraine. A validity study was conducted using a sample of 153 adults (54% male) ages 18 years and older. All participants in the sample were IDPs or veterans living in or near the major urban areas of Kyiv and Zaporizhia. Reliability testing (internal consistency, test-retest) and validity testing (construct, criterion) of the MHAI were conducted using classical test theory. After initial testing, we used Item Response Theory (IRT) to shorten and further refine the instrument. Results The MHAI showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the main outcomes: depression (α = 0.94; r = .84), post-traumatic stress (PTS; α = 0.97; r = 0.87), anxiety (α = 0.90; r = 0.80), and alcohol use (α = 0.86; r = 0.91). There was good evidence of convergent construct validity among the scales for depression, PTS, and anxiety, but not for alcohol use. Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis supported use of shortened versions of the scales for depression, PTS, and anxiety, as they retained comparable psychometric properties to the full scales of the MHAI. Conclusion The findings support the reliability and validity of the assessment—the MHAI—for screening of common mental health problems among Ukrainian IDPs and veterans. Use of IRT shortened the instrument to improve practicality and potential sustainability.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13031-018-0169-6ValidityReliabilityInternally displacedVeteranUkraineDepression |
| spellingShingle | S. Benjamin Doty Emily E. Haroz Namrita S. Singh Sergiy Bogdanov Judith K. Bass Laura K. Murray Karis L. Callaway Paul A. Bolton Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine Conflict and Health Validity Reliability Internally displaced Veteran Ukraine Depression |
| title | Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine |
| title_full | Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine |
| title_fullStr | Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine |
| title_short | Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine |
| title_sort | adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict affected adults in ukraine |
| topic | Validity Reliability Internally displaced Veteran Ukraine Depression |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13031-018-0169-6 |
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