Validation of the Korean version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy measure (MMHL) scale, originally comprising 26 items in English, for both adolescents and adults.Methods: Participants ranging from their teens to their 60s were engaged. The study utilized both exploratory factor analysis (n=242) and confirmatory factor analysis (n=252) to assess its psychometric properties.Results: The Korean adaptation comprised 16 items, delineating into three factors: beliefs about mental health (eight items), perception of mental health resources (four items), and knowledge of mental health (four items), accounting for 55.8% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a model fit (<i>x</i>² =170.45, Comparative Fit Index=.94, Tucker Lewis Index=.93, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=.05). Criterion-related validity was confirmed through significant correlations between the Korean Mental Health Literacy Scale (r=.40, <i>p</i><.001) and attitudes toward seeking professional help (r=.44, <i>p</i><.001). The reliability coefficient, assessed using the Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, yielded .83.Conclusion: Overall, this study validates the Korean version of Mental Health Literacy Scale for both adolescents and adults, affirming its utility in assessing mental health understanding.