Development and validation of a short form of the mentalization scale (MentS-11)\: an evidence-based measure for Turkish adults

This study aimed to create a brief Turkish version of the Mentalization Scale (MentS-11) and to evaluate its reliability and validity in a large community sample. Turkish-speaking adults (N = 953) completed the original 25-item MentS, the Interactive Mentalization Questionnaire, and the Interpersonal Neurobiology–Based Prefrontal Cortex Functions Scale. Scale reduction combined exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with graded-response item response theory. A three-factor solution—Self-related Mentalization (4 items), Other-related Mentalization (4 items), and Motivation to Mentalize (3 items)—displayed acceptable fit (CFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.08). Item-response analyses yielded strong discrimination (α = 0.93–2.07) and thresholds spanning the full latent range. Reliability was McDonald’s ωₜ = 0.84 for the total score, 0.81 for Other, 0.77 for Self, and 0.60 for Motivation. Scores on the MentS-11 were nearly identical to those on the 25-item form for the total scale (r =.92) and strongly aligned on their respective subscales (r =.72–0.81). Expected links with external measures confirmed convergent and criterion validity. The MentS-11 retains the theoretical scope and psychometric integrity of the original Turkish scale while halving administration time, making it a practical, time-efficient tool for assessing mentalization in both clinical practice and research.