The development of the mental health confidence scale: A measure of self-efficacy in individuals diagnosed with mental disorders

This article discusses a new scale for the measurement of self-efficacy among persons dealing with mental disorders and examines the relationship between involvement bt self-help and self-efficacy. The scale is based on theories of self-efficacy and recent qualitative research on self-help groups. It is designed to assess the self-efficacy beliefs of persons dealing with mental disorders, particularly how confident Beg are about their ability to deal with those things that commonly influence their lives. The presumed three-factor structure of the scale (optimism, coping, advocacy) was tested using data from a study oil understanding factors associated with participation and nonparticipation in mental health self help groups (n = 554). Results of confirmatory factor analyses support the three-factor structure and suggest that tbe scale is a reliable means of assessing mental health related efficacy beliefs. Irt correlational analyses, generally positive associations are found between participation in self-help and self-efficacy.