Item Calibration for Computer Adaptive Mental Well-Being Scale for a non-illness Intervention using Graded Rating Model

Abstract

Mental health is conceptualized as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community. The purpose of the research was to calibrate an optimal item bank for a Mental Wellbeing Computer Adaptive Test (MWB-CAT) for use by university undergraduates in Nigeria which informed the study sample. The instrument for the study would be a Likert-scaled questionnaire with items based on indices of mental well-being. The scale would be face and content validated by medical, sociology and educational psychological experts while a trial test was carried out to determine the reliability of the test items. The scale parameters were analysed using Graded Rating Scale Model (GRM) for polytomously scored items and deployed through the Xcalibre 4.2 programme. This study yielded a calibrated item bank of 173 items with an alpha value of 0.8469, mean, and standard deviation of 0.0344(0.8658). This study is germane to the attainment of SDG goal 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.