Tolerance for Mental Pain Scale (TMPS): Italian validation and evaluation of its protective role in depression and suicidal ideation. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Landi, Giulia; Furlani, Annalisa; Boccolini, Giada; Mikulincer, Mario; Grandi, Silvana; Tossani, Eliana
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 291(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Tolerance for psychological pain -- Mental pain -- Depression -- Suicide -- Scale validation -- Measurement invariance; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract : highlights: Compared to the original 20-item version, the brief Tolerance for Mental Pain Scale (TMPS-10) demonstrated sound psychometric properties and was validated in Italian. The instrument gender measurement invariance was established. Given the global rise in depression and its association with mental pain and suicidal risks, this study also highlighted the protective role of tolerance for mental pain in depression and suicidal ideation. The TMPS-10 shows potential in clinical applications to evaluate coping strategies aimed to prevent suicide and identifying people who are at risk for depressive psychopathology and suicide. Abstract: Mental pain and tolerance for mental pain have been receiving international recognition as transdiagnostic constructs related to many psychiatric conditions as well as increased probability of suicide. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Tolerance for Mental Pain Scale (TMPS) in Italian and to examine its protective role in depression and suicidal ideation. To this aim, psychometric proprieties of the instrument were explored as well as their association with depression and suicidal ideation on an Italian adult community sample ( N = 204). Participants filled out the TMPS together with scales tapping intensity of mental pain, depression and other clinically relevant variables. Compared to the original version, the TMPS-10 demonstrated better psychometric properties and was validated in Italian. The two-factor structure of the Italian TMPS-10 (Managing the Pain, Enduring the Pain) was replicated. The instrument showed adequate construct validity and gender measurement invariance. Furthermore, regression analyses evinced a significant protective role of tolerance for mental pain in depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation. The Italian TMPS-10 is a valid and reliable measure to assess tolerance for mental pain and seems to be a promising instrument to identify those at risk for depressive psychopathology and suicide.