Psychometric properties of a brief, self-report measure of social inclusion: the F-SIM16

Kate Filia; Caroline X Gao; Henry J Jackson; Jana Menssink; Amity Watson; Andrew Gardner; Sue M Cotton; Eóin Killackey

doi:10.1017/S2045796021000755

Psychometric properties of a brief, self-report measure of social inclusion: the F-SIM16

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2022 Jan 21:31:e8. doi: 10.1017/S2045796021000755.

Authors

Kate Filia^{1

2}, Caroline X Gao^{1

2

3}, Henry J Jackson⁴, Jana Menssink^{1

2}, Amity Watson^{1

2}, Andrew Gardner^{1

2

5}, Sue M Cotton^{1

2}, Eóin Killackey^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Orygen, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
² Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
³ Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Aims: A disproportionate number of people with mental ill-health experience social exclusion. Appropriate measurement tools are required to progress opportunities to improve social inclusion. We have developed a novel measure, the Filia Social Inclusion Measure (F-SIM). Here we aimed to present a more concise, easy-to-use form, while retaining its measurement integrity by (i) refining the F-SIM using traditional and contemporary item-reduction techniques; and (ii) testing the psychometric properties of the reduced measure.

Methods: Five hundred and six participants completed the F-SIM, younger and older groups of people with serious mental illness (including psychosis, mood, anxiety disorders) and same-aged community counterparts. The F-SIM was completed at baseline and 2-week follow-up, alongside other measures (including social inclusion, loneliness). The F-SIM was refined using multidimensional scaling network analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory. The psychometric evaluation included assessment of dimensionality, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant ability and construct validity.

Results: The F-SIM was reduced from 135-items to 16; with 4-items in each domain of housing and neighbourhood, finances, employment and education and social participation and relationships. Psychometric properties were sound, including strong internal consistency within domains (all α > 0.85) and excellent overall (α = 0.92). Test-retest reliability was also high (γ = 0.90). Differences between groups were observed; clinical subgroups consistently reported lower levels of social inclusion compared to community counterparts.

Conclusions: The F-SIM16 is a sound, reliable, brief self-report measure of social inclusion suitable for use in clinical and research settings. It has the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and aid in fostering targeted and personalised needs-based care.

Keywords: Social inclusion; psychometrics; self report; social exclusion; surveys and questionnaires.

MeSH terms

Anxiety Disorders*
Humans
Mental Health*
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Self Report
Surveys and Questionnaires