Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Australian validation of the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents
Julie C Clark1, Warren Bartik1, Kylie Rice1,2
1School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Objective:
In order to support mental health help-seeking for Australian adolescents, it is imperative to understand and improve their mental health literacy (MHL). MHL measures are needed to identify MHL needs and to evaluate MHL interventions; however, a standardised MHL measure is yet to be validated for Australian adolescents. The current study aimed to validate the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents (UMHL-A) with Australian adolescents.
Method:
Participants were recruited through a national recruitment company and included 402 Australian youth, 15 to 18 years old. First, the factor structure of the UMHL-A was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis. Second, reliability was assessed through internal consistency and item-total score reliability. Finally, convergent and divergent validity were appraised.
Results:
Confirmatory factor analysis validated the structure of the UMHL-A with good fit indices for the four factors of help-seeking efficacy, stigma, knowledge of mental health, and knowledge of mental illness. Moreover, adequate reliability, convergent and divergent validity were demonstrated.
Conclusion:
This evaluation of the UMHL-A enables theoretically grounded and psychometrically validated measurement of MHL with Australian adolescents. The UMHL-A has widespread application in research and practice, for clinicians, schools, mental health services and government policies.
Related Concept Videos
Health Literacy
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
Self-Report Tests of Personality
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

