Initial efforts to enhance the R2MR Mental Health Continuum Model.

Introduction: The Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) Mental Health Continuum Model (MHCM) is a mental health self-monitoring tool that allows individuals to self-map their mental health status on six domains using descriptors ranging in severity from healthy to reacting, injured, ill. The goals were to improve the validity of this tool by adding sub-domain descriptors from each domain (Study 1) and assessing whether the addition of these sub-domain descriptors to the domain descriptors resulted in more accurate self-mapping along the MHCM (Study 2). Methods: In Study 1, 159 Regular Force members completed a matching task in which they were presented with descriptors and asked to select the MHCM anchor that each belonged to. In Study 2, 274 Regular Force members completed several validated scales and mapped themselves on the MHCM using the descriptors selected in Study 1. Results: In Study 1, subsets of sub-domain descriptors were selected that optimized the accuracy mapping scores for all domains and most anchor categories. In Study 2, the addition of sub-domain descriptors enhanced the validity of the MHCM tool for all domains and was associated with the highest correlations with validated scales; most coefficients exceeded concurrent validity thresholds. Discussion: These findings provide initial support for the enhanced validity of a MHCM tool that should allow military members to better identify changes in their mental health status.