Table 3. Item characteristics of the final 15 VASI-items

1

If you live together with a mentally ill person, it is difficult to lead a life according to your own ideas.

SR

3.29

3.0

1.108

−0.339

−0.505

0.659

0.533

2

Going easy on people with mental illness in the workplace is unfair to those who do not have a mental illness.

MV

2.34

2.0

1.146

0.489

−0.546

0.468

0.493

3^a

People with mental illness are a valuable addition to society.

PE

2.72

3.0

1.040

0.073

−0.233

0.544

0.400

4

Mental illness is often only an excuse for laziness.

MV

1.76

1.0

1.019

1.234

0.777

0.353

0.510

5

Living together with a mentally ill person restricts one’s own quality of life.

SR

3.15

3.0

1.128

−0.187

−0.627

0.629

0.573

6

It is damaging to my reputation if a mental illness becomes known in my family.

RE

1.76

1.0

1.021

1.264

0.837

0.352

0.456

7^a

Interacting with mentally ill people can be very enriching for oneself.

PE

3.36

3.0

1.079

−0.278

−0.345

0.671

0.522

8

Having mentally ill people in the neighborhood impairs the attractiveness of my residential area.

RE

1.71

1.0

0.977

1.370

1.316

0.342

0.572

9^a

In general, I feel comfortable spending time with a person who is mentally ill.

PE

2.84

3.0

1.056

0.029

−0.311

0.567

0.414

10

In interacting with a person with mental illness, you invest a lot of energy and get only little in return.

SR

2.75

3.0

1.160

0.139

−0.738

0.550

0.591

11

Mentally ill people commit particularly cruel crimes.

SE

2.33

2.0

1.179

0.471

−0.641

0.467

0.539

12

Just like beggars, mentally ill people taint the appearance of a city.

RE

1.72

1.0

1.001

1.365

1.223

0.345

0.564

13

Nowadays people who are mentally ill are shown too much consideration.

MV

2.17

2.0

1.120

0.663

− 0340

0.434

0.613

14

The neighborhood should be warned about people with severe mental illness.

SE

2.29

2.0

1.198

0.525

−0.676

0.459

0.578

15

Mentally ill people represent a great danger for children.

SE

2.36

2.0

1.071

0.495

−0.404

0.452

0.645