Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine
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Date
2018
Authors
Doty, S. Benjamin
Haroz, Emily
Singh, Namrita
Bogdanov, Sergiy
Bass, Judith
Murray, Laura
Callaway, Karis
Bolton, Paul
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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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.
Description
Keywords
Validity, Reliability, Internally displaced, Veteran, Ukraine, Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Anxiety, Alcohol, article
Citation
Adaptation and testing of an assessment for mental health and alcohol use problems among conflict-affected adults in Ukraine / S. Benjamin Doty, Emily E. Haroz, Namrita S. Singh, Sergiy Bogdanov, Judith K. Bass, Laura K. Murray, Karis L. Callaway and Paul A. Bolton // Conflict and Health. - 2018. - № 12. - P. 1-13.