Validation of the French translation of the Recovery Knowledge Inventory in a large sample

The Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) is a tool used to measure mental health practitioners' knowledge and attitudes towards recovery-oriented practices (Bedregal et al., 2006). This widely used tool is not yet available in French. This study aims to translate, culturally adapt, and validate a French version of the RKI (RKI-fr) within a population of French caregivers. Following standard guidelines, the 20-item scale was first translated using a back-translation method, resulting in a 20-item French version. After approval by the original authors, this version was completed online by 335 mental health practitioners working in psychiatric and addiction care in France. The responses were analyzed using Multidimensional Item Response Theory (MIRT).The initial 20-item model presented acceptable fit indices, even though two of the items had low factor loadings. After removing these items, the resulting 18-item version retained the same four-factor structure as the original, with acceptable marginal reliability coefficients for the 4 factors. This version also exhibited adequate and improved fit indices with RMSEA =.03; CI [0.02; 0.05]; SRMR=0.07; TLI=0.97; CFI= 0.98.The challenges of cross-cultural translation, in particular, the semantic nuances of risk-taking items and stages of treatment, are discussed. These nuances may have influenced respondents’ interpretation, resulting in some items’ poor factor loading.This 18-item French version (RKI-fr) provides an effective tool for assessing and promoting recovery-oriented practices in French-speaking contexts.