Measuring psychological pain: psychometric analysis of the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale

Abstract Background Suicide is a public health concern, with an estimated 1 million individuals dying each year worldwide. Individual psychological pain believed to be contributing motivating factor. Therefore, establishing psychometrically sound tool adequately measure important. The Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP) has been proposed; however, previous psychometric analysis on the OMMP not yielded consistent scale structure, internal consistency of subscales met recommended values. primary purpose this study was assess properties in diverse sample. Methods A confirmatory factor (CFA) 9-factor, 44-item conducted full sample ( n = 1151). Because model fit indices were met, exploratory (EFA) random subset data 576) identify more parsimonious structure. EFA structure then tested covariance remaining participants 575). Multigroup invariance testing subsequently performed examine refined scale. Results CFA original did meet recommendations. results revealed 3-factor, 9-item (i.e., OMMP-9). OMMP-9 indicated further refinement necessary. final 8-item OMMP-8) across mental diagnoses, sex, injury status, age, activity level, athlete classification all criteria for invariance. Conclusions does measurement should use research clinical practice its current form. OMMP-8 may viable option use; completed prior adoption.