Measures of mental health literacy for supporting children and their psychometric properties: A systematic review

Background

Unidentified childhood mental health difficulties increase the risk of mental disorder in adulthood. Improving mental health literacy for supporting children (MHLSC) of adults can improve early identification. There is limited use of validated measures to evaluate MHLSC programs. This systematic review aimed to identify measures of MHLSC, the components of MHLSC they assess, and their psychometric properties.

Methods

A research protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42022352615. A systematic review was conducted according to COSMIN guidelines. The review included studies published in peer reviewed journals, concerning development, adaptation, or validation of a measure of MHLSC associated with primary school children. Study identification was through a comprehensive literature search in Medline, PsychINFO and EMBASE (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Web of Science, last conducted June 2024. The COSMIN risk of bias checklist was used, and each reported measurement property outcome was assessed against COMSIN criteria for good measurement properties. The COSMIN-modified GRADE approach was used to assess overall quality of evidence.

Results

From 399 records, Twelve studies from ten reports were included in the review, with ten self-report questionnaires identified. Studies were primarily conducted in the USA, with predominantly female populations. The quality of evidence for measurement property outcomes ranged from high to very low. Attitudinal components of MHLSC were assessed more frequently than knowledge components.

Conclusion

Findings indicate a lack of comprehensive and valid measures of MHLSC. There is a need for a comprehensive measure of MHLSC, including knowledge components, specific to children aged 5–12 years, to accurately assess MHLSC.