Psychometric Properties of the Mental Health Screening Form Iii Within a Metropolitan Jail

This study evaluated the psychometric performance and convergent validity of a screening instrument for mental health disorders, the Mental Health Screening Form III (MHSF-III), among inmates in a large metropolitan jail. The study examined item functioning, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the MHSF-III among 332 inmates enrolled in a jail addiction treatment program. Results indicated that the items were internally consistent and that the majority had acceptable item-total correlations and endorsement frequencies. The MHSF-III total score was significantly correlated with self-reported trauma history and self-reported mental health symptoms. Most items demonstrated strong convergence with similar constructs measured by the Personality Assessment Inventory (Morey, 2007). The instrument appears to be a promising mental health screen for jail settings. Clinical applications of the MHSF-III and possibilities for redesigning the instrument are discussed.