The Achieved Capabilities Questionnaire for Community Mental Health (ACQ‐CMH): A consumer‐based measure for the evaluation of community mental health interventions. Issue 3 (2nd May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sacchetto, Beatrice; Ornelas, José; Calheiros, Maria M.
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 70:Issue 3/4(2022)
• Page Start: 327
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2022-05-02
• Subjects: capabilities approach -- community mental health intervention -- confirmatory factor analysis -- consumer‐based measurement -- evaluation; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12599
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: The capabilities approach offers a multidimensional, ecological, and agent‐centered framework that may inspire models of intervention and evaluation. A growing number of measures grounded on the capabilities approach for outcome measurement are appearing. Regarding community mental health, new consumer‐valued measures—constructed in collaboration with consumers—are here considered crucial for a transformative shift. Meanwhile, new measurements need to provide psychometric evidence to enable proper choice and application. The Achieved Capabilities Questionnaire for Community Mental Health (ACQ‐CMH) was developed in collaboration with consumers of community mental health services. It aims to assess consumers' capabilities achieved through program support. The present paper shows advancements in the measure validation through a confirmatory factor analysis within a sample of community mental health consumers ( N = 225). Reliability and construct‐related validity were also observed. A structural solution composed of five factors and 43 items revealed a better model fit than that obtained in a previous exploratory study. Findings support the reliability, sensibility, and both convergent and discriminant validity of using the ACQ‐CMH in the evaluation of community mental health interventions. The ACQ‐CMH offers a consumer‐valued framework with specific dimensions and indicators of capabilities for use in a routine service evaluation setting. Highlights: Growing number of capabilities measures to evaluate health intervention has appeared. Psychometric refinements and confirmatory factor analysis are fundamental to enable a proper choice and application. The Achieved Capabilities Questionnaire for Community Mental Health (ACQ‐CMH) is consumer‐centered once it reflects consumers' needs and goals. This measure may contribute to the evaluation of community‐based mental health interventions. The obtained dimensions and indicators may inspire a transformative mental health system.