Table 2 Summary of exploratory factor analysis results for the Mental Health Peer Support Questionnaire (MHPSQ), Singapore 2018

Young people with mental illness are dangerous^a

.46

.01

.17

People with mental illness can just get over their emotional problems if they try^a

.65

.04

.13

Serious mental health problems are obvious^a

.69

− .03

.00

Stigma does not affect people’s willingness to seek help^a

.68

− .01

− .02

Self-care is important

.14

.55

.03

Mental health stigma can be caused by media portrayals

.23

.41

− .13

I am able to understand my peers with empathy

.12

.67

− .04

I can talk about ways of coping with my peers

-.17

.63

.06

I am confident of letting my peers make their own decisions about their mental health

-.15

.37

− .11

I am aware of when I am feeling overwhelmed

.06

.60

− .05

I know the differences between self-harm and suicide

− .04

.53

.05

I am able to encourage my peers to have positive mental health

− .12

.63

.04

I find it difficult to encourage my peers to seek professional help when they need it^a

− .03

− .01

.65

I find it hard to tell my peers concerns in a non-judgmental way^a

.04

.04

.64

I tend to focus on myself in conversations with my peers, even when I don't mean to^a

.11

− .02

.60

I find it difficult to identify warning signs of suicide^a

− .01

.00

.62

Eigenvalues

1.84

2.49

1.75

Percent of variance

11.0

15.5

10.4

Cronbach’s α (95% CI)

.76 (.72, .79)

.77 (.73, .80)

.74 (.70, .78)