The Brief Version of the Mentalization Scale (MentS-12): Evidence-Based Assessment of Mentalizing Capacity

Abstract

Recognizing the need for a concise self-report measure of mentalizing capacity, we developed a 12-item iteration of the well-established Mentalization Scale (MentS). Using college student and community samples of Serbian adults (N = 566), we performed a precise selection of items and then examined the psychometric attributes of the shortened scale (MentS-12). The new scale maintains the original three-dimensional structure: self-related mentalization, other-related mentalization, and motivation to mentalize. MentS-12 proves to be both reliable and structurally consistent. To improve its utility in therapeutic contexts, we determined clinical change thresholds for both the complete and abbreviated forms. We hope that its feasibility stimulates the integration of the MentS-12 in longitudinal research projects and real-world clinical settings.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: AS, ZJM, AD. Formal analysis: AS. Supervision: AD. Writing—original draft: AS, ZJM, AD. Writing—review and editing: AS, ZJM, AD.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Both the data and the analysis code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work of the second author was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Republic of Serbia through a Grant Agreement with the University of Belgrade-Faculty of Philosophy (No. 451-03-66/2024-03/200163).