Development and Validation of Christian Ministers Psychopathological Scale (CMPS)
Oluseyi Abiodun Alakija
Department of Behavioural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede Osun State, Nigeria.
Ebenezer Olutope Akinnawo
Department of Pure and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba –Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
Olusola Iyabode Akinbobola
Department of Behavioural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede Osun State, Nigeria.
Bede Chinonye Akpunne *
Department of Behavioural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede Osun State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This paper describes the development and validation of a Christian Ministers Psychopathological Scale (CMPS) to facilitate early diagnosis of mental health challenges among Christian Ministers, especially in Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and was carried out in four stages. The initial items were generated from an extensive review of literature and concerns raised from a focused group discussion among Christian ministers with Pentecostal affiliation. These concerns are perceived as possible predictors of mental health challenges among the ministers. Fifty-two (52) participants were randomly selected from Ede, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria for the scale development, while four hundred and fifty-six (456) participants were randomly selected across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. They responded to the online versions of the 15- item instrument (CMPS) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-14) for the congruent validation. The observed KMO measure was 0.47, and a significant sphericity test was observed (X2=1258.495, df= .703, p = .000). All the 15 items extracted from the Principal Components Analysis PCA were within the very good discrimination values. The CMPS has a Cronbach's alpha of .79. Congruent validity coefficient of (r =.368, p = .035); was observed between CMPS and DASS-14. Authors conclude that the CMPS is gender-sensitive, has acceptable psychometric properties and is recommended as a diagnostic tool for assessing psychopathological symptoms among Christian ministers.
Keywords: Scale development validation, psychopathological symptoms, christian ministers