Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Feb 27, 2024
Date Accepted: May 2, 2024
Measuring daily actions associated with mental health: development of the Things You Do Questionnaire – 15 item
ABSTRACT
Background:
A large number of modifiable and measurable daily actions are thought to impact mental health. The ‘Things You Do’ refers to five types of daily actions which have been associated with mental health: Healthy Thinking, Meaningful Activities, Goals and Plans, Healthy Habits, and Social Connections. Previous studies have reported the psychometric properties of the Things You Do Questionnaire – 21 item (TYDQ21).
Objective:
The current study evaluated a 10-item and 15-item version of the TYDQ21 in both community and treatment-seeking samples with the aim of developing a brief version.
Methods:
Using confirmatory factor analysis, the top two or three items were used to develop the 10-item and 15-item versions, respectively. Model fit, reliability, and validity were examined for both versions in two samples: a survey of community adults (n = 6,070) and adults who completed an assessment at a digital psychology service (n = 14,878). Treatment responsivity was examined in a subgroup of participants (n = 448).
Results:
The five-factor structure was supported. The brief versions were associated with better model fit than the 21-item version and the 15-item version explained more variance in the 21-item scores than the 10-item version. Internal consistency was appropriate and there were no marked differences between how the brief versions correlated with validated measures of depression or anxiety symptoms. The measure was responsive to treatment.
Conclusions:
The 15-item version is appropriate for use as a brief measure of daily actions associated with mental health, balancing brevity and clinical utility.
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