Translation, Cultural Adaptation, Standardization, and Psychometric Evaluation of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and Its Relationship with High-Risk Behaviors among Adolescents in Khoy

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Positive mental health is a core component of adolescents’ psychological well-being and may serve as an important protective factor against high-risk behaviors. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, standardize, and evaluate the psychometric adequacy of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and examine its relationship with high-risk behaviors among adolescents in Khoy.

Methodology: This psychometric study used a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included lower and upper secondary school students in Khoy, from whom 404 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling. The research instruments included the Persian version of the Lluch Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and the Rajaee and Shafiei High-Risk Behaviors Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, split-half reliability, confirmatory factor analysis, AVE, the Fornell–Larcker criterion, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation in SPSS-22 and Smart PLS.

Findings: The kappa coefficient for cultural adaptation was 0.425 and statistically significant. Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability values for all subscales exceeded 0.70. Split-half reliability was confirmed by an inter-form correlation of 0.888 and Spearman–Brown and Guttman coefficients of 0.941. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor structure of the questionnaire. AVE values ranged from 0.570 to 0.619, and discriminant validity was confirmed using the Fornell–Larcker criterion. No significant age-group difference was found in positive mental health scores. However, positive mental health showed significant negative correlations with all high-risk behavior dimensions and the total high-risk behavior score.

Conclusion: The Persian version of the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing positive mental health among Persian-speaking adolescents and can be used in screening, research, and preventive intervention programs aimed at reducing high-risk behaviors.