Preliminary Exploration of the Mental Health Education Competency Survey of Primary and Middle School Head Teachers

Abstract

Despite a recent focus on the mental health of students, primary and middle school mental health education in China has been hampered by a lack of resources and inadequate professional training. This study assessed the mental health education competency of primary and middle school head teachers using the Mental Health Education Competency Questionnaire, a measure based on data from documentary analysis, behavioral event interviews (BEIs), and expert judgment. Factor, reliability, and validity analysis of this questionnaire were conducted. Through these analyses, seven structural dimensions of mental health education competency were found: mental health education skill, career growth, personality charm, occupational tendency, achievement feature, student perspective, and professional knowledge. This questionnaire will improve hiring and evaluation processes and, therefore, improve mental health education.