Psychometric properties of the Patient Activation Measure-13 among out-patients waiting for mental health treatment: A validation study in Norway

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.009
• Publication Date: 2015-06-23T23:50:52Z
• Authors: Inger Elise O. Mo...; Mariela L. Lara-C...; Lilisbeth Pereste...; Amado Rivero-Santana; Lasse Eriksen; Olav M. Linaker
• Keywords: Community mental health centers; Medicine(all); Adult; Male; Measurement; Clinical Trials as Topic; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Psychometrics; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Patient Activation Measure; Validation; Chronic Disease; Outpatients; Humans; Mental health; Female; Patient Participation; Aged

The Patient Activation Measure-13 (PAM-13) has been found useful for assessing patient knowledge, skills and confidence in management of chronic conditions, but the empirical evidence from mental health is sparse. The psychometric properties of PAM in out-patients waiting for treatment in community mental health centers (CMHC) have therefore been examined.A total of 290 adults from two CMHC completed PAM. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with 273 patients. Data at baseline and after 4 weeks were used to analyze test-retest reliability (n=60) and to analyze the sensitivity to change (n=51).The exploratory factor analysis revealed a fit for a two-factor model (Cronbach's α was 0.86 and 0.67), and was assessed for a one-factor model (α=0.87). The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.76. Sensitivity to change was good with a statistically significant activation improvement (p<0.001) on patients receiving a peer co-led-educational intervention (Cohen's d was 0.85).PAM has appropriate and acceptable psychometric properties in mental health settings.Assessing activation before treatment might be useful for scheduling the delivery of mental health services as well as evaluating educational interventions aimed at improving patient engagement in mental health.