Development and validation of the Chinese mental health value scale: a tool for culturally-informed psychological assessment

Abstract

Background: Mental health values play a significant role in defining, promoting, and intervening in mental health. As part of an individual’s value system, these values are inherently cultural. However, they remain underexplored in Chinese culture context, particularly among the large young adult population of university students. A culturally informed tool to assess mental health values is much needed to support China’s efforts in promoting mental health among college students. Methods: Four steps were taken to complete the Chinese Mental Health Value Scale (CMHVS) development, namely, item pool construction including expert reviews, a pilot study for item revision and selection, data collection for explorative and confirmatory factor analyses, and validity testing. Results: A 35-item, seven-factor model was identified with high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.96), and evidence for convergent validity. The seven factors were Expected Self, Relating to Others, Life Principles, Family, Purpose and Meaning, Achievement, and Communication. Conclusion: The CMHVS provides a culturally grounded method for assessing mental health values in Chinese university students. It has potential applications in research and clinical settings, improving culturally sensitive mental health promotion and intervention.