title: A psychometric validation of the beliefs toward mental illness scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study measured Protestant Christians' beliefs about mental illness using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a state-of-the-art item response theory technique, namely the Rasch rating scale model (RRSM), to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BMI and to produce a ruler of the construct hierarchy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using Messick's framework for evaluating construct validity, sufficient evidence was obtained that suggests the BMI is psychometrically sound regarding substantive, content, structural, and generalizable aspects of validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BMI is a psychometrically sound instrument that is appropriate for measuring beliefs toward mental illness.
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Royal
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D033303:Protestantism; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult