Psychometric Study Using Item Response Theory of an Instrument Developed for Assessment of Iranian Mental Health Problems

Background: Currently, in addition to the undeniable impact of cultural factors on mental health problems’ diagnosis and treatment methods, use rapid, short, intervention-based instruments can be effective accurate problems, especially system developing countries. Objectives: This study aimed validate an instrument developed for screening patients with common problems using item response theory (IRT). Methods: The was conducted Semnan province (with Persian ethnicity), Iran, from August 2017 February 2018. A 101-item tool consisted district (i.e., depression, anxiety, obsession), along a functional checklist. development involved pilot psychometric testing. IRT-based analysis used as item-reduction method evaluate shortened appropriate tool. participants were healthy individuals obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). data analyzed Stata software (version 15.1). Results: 160 (58.2% male) mean age 36.3 ± 11.2 years. All within range 1.8 - 5. values clarity, simplicity, relevance, scale-level content validity index/averaging calculation 96.73 0.70, 97.64 0.61, 98.2 1.9, 97.09 0.63, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient 0.88 0.7. Moreover, 13, 5, 12 items excluded IRT OCD dimensions based threshold criteria, Conclusions: Iranian tools provide qualified information least error most precision early decrease burden national healthcare system.