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Perceived Public Stigma Scale
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About Perceived Public Stigma Scale
Scale Name
Perceived Public Stigma Scale
Author Details
Bruce G. Link
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
We measured perceived public stigma using an adaptation of the Discrimination-Devaluation (D-D) Scale developed by Link and colleagues, which has been used in several previous studies (Link, 1987; Link, Cullen, Struening, Shrout, & Dohrenwend, 1989). The D-D scale asks people how much they agree with each of 12 statements that begin with “Most people believe . . .” or “Most people think . . . ,” or “Most people would . . .” followed by a stereotype, example of discrimination, or the opposite (an accepting view or behavior). The original D-D scale refers to a “mental patient” or a “former mental patient” or a person “who has been hospitalized for mental illness.”
We adapted the wording to refer instead to “a person who has received mental health treatment” because our objective was to measure perceived stigma regarding a broader concept of mental health treatment (rather than institutional treatment for severe mental illness per se). As in the original D-D scale, the answer choices were on a 6-point Likert scale: strongly agree, agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, disagree, strongly disagree. As in the original use of the scale, we constructed an index of perceived stigma by coding each response as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (with higher numbers referring to answers indicating higher perceived stigma) and calculating the average across the 12 items for each individual. We found a high internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = .89) in this adapted scale.
The Perceived Public Stigma Scale is designed to assess the extent to which individuals believe that society holds stigmatizing attitudes toward a particular group or condition, such as mental illness. Developed initially in the context of mental health, this scale measures perceived societal perceptions rather than personal stigma, which helps researchers and clinicians understand how societal views impact individuals’ self-esteem, help-seeking behaviors, and social integration. The scale typically includes items related to stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice, reflecting broader public sentiments. Respondents rate their agreement with statements about societal views, shedding light on the pervasive impact of public stigma.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Perceived Public Stigma Scale from academic resources or authorized publishers.
- Explain the purpose of the scale, emphasizing that it measures perceptions of societal attitudes rather than personal beliefs.
- Provide clear instructions on how to respond to the items, typically using a Likert scale format (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree).
- The scale takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.
- Administer the scale in a quiet environment to ensure accurate responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Perceived Public Stigma Scale has demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The original validation studies reported good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging between 0.78 and 0.85. Construct validity has been established through factor analysis, supporting its ability to measure perceived public stigma accurately. The scale has been widely used in various cultural contexts, maintaining consistent reliability across diverse populations.
Available Versions
12-Items
Reference
Link, B. G. (1987). Understanding labeling effects in the area of mental disorders: An assessment of the effects of expectations of rejection. American sociological review, 96-112.
Link, B. G., Cullen, F. T., Struening, E., Shrout, P. E., & Dohrenwend, B. P. (1989). A modified labeling theory approach to mental disorders: An empirical assessment. American sociological review, 400-423.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Perceived Public Stigma Scale measure?
It measures an individual’s perception of societal attitudes and stereotypes toward a particular group or condition, especially related to mental health.
Who can use the Perceived Public Stigma Scale?
Researchers, mental health professionals, and clinicians use it to assess the impact of public stigma on individuals.
How long does it take to complete the scale?
It typically takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
Is the scale reliable?
Yes, the scale has demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity in various studies.
Can the scale be adapted for different cultural contexts?
Yes, it has been validated across different populations and cultural settings.
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