An Exploratory Factor Analysis: Validity and reliability of Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire among Sabahan Adolescents

Yusra Afiqah Nurul; Suwaibah Zakaria

doi:10.51200/sapj.v13i2.6382

Authors

Yusra Afiqah Nurul Faculty of Psychology and Social Work, UMS
Dr Suwaibah Zakaria Universiti Malaysia Sabah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/sapj.v13i2.6382

Keywords:

Mental Health, Mental Health Literacy, Adolescence

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the validity, reliability and factor analysis of the 33-item Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLq) among adolescents in Sabah. Data is collected from a pilot sample of 132 participants. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy shows the value of 0.736 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity shows a significant value (p < .001), which confirm the data is suitable for factor analysis. The data was also found to be reliable with Cronbach’s alpha of .867. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) then confirms the three key dimensions of mental health literacy which are self-help strategies (SHS), first aid skills (FASH), and knowledge of mental health issues (KS). The dataset was able to explain 38.12% of the variance. These findings suggest that the scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing mental health literacy among adolescents in this context, providing a foundation for future research and interventions.

Author Biography

Dr Suwaibah Zakaria, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Senior Lecturer

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Director

Pusat Minda Lestari, UMS

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