Validation of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) in an Italian sample: Practical utility of a short version

Introduction: The Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) is a self-report scale assessing the extent to which individuals believe that the effects of stress are beneficial or harmful. It has been linked to physiological and behavioural outcomes relevant to wellbeing and validated across different languages and cultures. However, its factorial structure remains inconsistent across studies, raising questions about its optimal conceptualization. This study aimed to validate the SMM and examine its factorial structure in an Italian sample. Methods: A sample of 215 adults completed the Italian version of the SMM, along with measures of perceived stress, life satisfaction, and self-efficacy. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to investigate the SMM factorial structure emerging from the data. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were then used to compare this model with the original unidimensional model and previously proposed two- and four-factor structures. Additional CFAs explored the psychometric properties of two shortened versions of the SMM. The practical utility of each model was evaluated through regression analyses predicting adjustment outcomes. Results: EFA supported a novel two-factor model distinguishing between beliefs about the effects of stress on learning/productivity and on health/wellbeing. CFA confirmed this model provided superior fit compared to alternative structures (CMIN/df = 1.21, RMSEA = 0.032). However, regression analyses indicated that the unidimensional model best predicted perceived stress (β = - .205), life satisfaction (β = .150), and self-efficacy (β = .229). A shortened version including only the four positively worded items (SMM-4P) showed strong psychometric properties and similar predictive validity to the full unidimensional scale. Discussion: Findings support the Italian adaptation of the SMM and suggest that the novel two factor solution may offer greater conceptual clarity. Nonetheless, the unidimensional structure remains more practical for predicting adjustment outcomes. The results also highlight the potential utility of the SMM-4P in time-constrained contexts such as clinical assessment.