Introducing the Staff-Administered Meal Independence Rating Scale for Use Among Patients With Serious Mental Illnesses.

Abstract: For individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMIs), inadequate meal preparation skills can hinder the ability to live independently; yet rating scales tailored for this population are lacking. We describe development, item analysis, and initial reliability and validity of the Staff-Administered Meal Independence Rating Scale (SAMIRS). After item development involving expert consultation, two rounds of pilot testing ( n = 188, n = 293) were conducted in inpatient and residential settings (transitional living residences [TLRs] and community residences [CRs]). For initial testing of convergent validity, Pearson correlations with Specific Levels of Functioning (SLOF) scale items were computed. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single factor; Cronbach's alpha was high (0.98). The mean SAMIRS score varied by setting: CR residents scored higher than those in TLRs or inpatient units. Scores were highly correlated with SLOF items measuring community living skills. Although further study is warranted, the SAMIRS could be a useful tool in rating functional needs pertaining to meal independence among individuals with SMI.