Background: Felt stigma is an internalized sense of shame about having an unwanted condition along with fear of discrimination due to imputed inferiority or unacceptability. Various illnesses and symptoms of disease are associated with health-related stigma and individuals may experience stigma that strongly affects their quality of life. The Stigmarelated Social Problems scale (SSP) was developed for measuring the impact of health-related stigma on social functioning in people with different diseases and disorders.
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the validity of SSP in the general Swedish population.
Method: In 2015, SSP was sent to a random population sample (n=8140). Tests of the internal consistency reliability of scale scores (Cronbach’s alpha), the unidimensionality and homogeneity of scales (factor analysis), item-scale convergent validity, ceiling and floor effects, and known group analysis were conducted.
Results: The response rate was 42%. Reliability coefficients were high (< 0.93) for both scales. Factor analyses confirmed the unidimensionality. Item-scale correlations for both scales indicated satisfactory item-scale convergent validity (r ≥ 0.40). The proportion of subjects scoring at the lowest possible score level (floor effect) was 25% for the Distress scale and 28% for the Avoidance scale, while ceiling effects were marginal (<1%). The proportion of missing items was generally low, ranging from 0.8-1.5%.