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The Stigma Scale
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About The Stigma Scale
Scale Name
The Stigma Scale
Author Details
Michael King, Sokratis Dinos, Jenifer Shaw, Robert Watson, Scott Stevens, Filippo Passetti, Scott Weich, and Marc Serfaty
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Stigma Scale is a self-report instrument developed to measure the stigma associated with mental illness from the perspective of individuals experiencing psychological distress. Recognizing the pervasive impact of stigma on mental health service users, the scale was designed to capture the multifaceted nature of stigma as directly reported by those affected. The development process involved qualitative interviews with mental health service users, leading to an initial pool of 42 items. Through rigorous testing and factor analysis, the scale was refined to 28 items encompassing three distinct factors:
- Discrimination: Perceived experiences of prejudice and unfair treatment due to mental health problems.
- Disclosure: Concerns and fears about revealing one’s mental health status to others.
- Positive Aspects: Perceived personal growth and understanding resulting from experiencing mental health challenges.
Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree,” with higher scores indicating greater perceived stigma. The scale is concise, typically requiring 5–10 minutes to complete, making it practical for both clinical and research settings. Its comprehensive nature allows for a nuanced understanding of how stigma manifests and affects individuals with mental illness.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a Copy: Access the Stigma Scale through the original publication by King et al. (2007) or reputable psychological assessment resources.
- Explain the Purpose: Inform participants that the scale aims to assess their personal experiences and feelings related to stigma associated with mental health issues, contributing to a better understanding of its impact.
- Provide Instructions: Instruct participants to reflect on their experiences and indicate their agreement with each statement using the provided 5-point Likert scale.
- Approximate Time: The Stigma Scale typically takes about 5–10 minutes to complete.
- Administer the Scale: Ensure participants complete the questionnaire in a confidential and comfortable environment, encouraging honest and thoughtful responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Stigma Scale has demonstrated robust psychometric properties. In the standardization sample of 193 mental health service users, the scale exhibited high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.87 for the overall scale. The subscales also showed strong reliability, with alpha coefficients of 0.87 for Discrimination, 0.85 for Disclosure, and 0.64 for Positive Aspects.
Test-retest reliability over a two-week interval yielded satisfactory kappa coefficients for individual items, indicating stability over time. Construct validity is supported by significant negative correlations between stigma scores and measures of self-esteem, suggesting that higher perceived stigma is associated with lower self-esteem. These findings affirm the scale’s reliability and validity in capturing the complex experiences of stigma among individuals with mental illness.
Available Versions
28-Items
Reference
King, M., Dinos, S., Shaw, J., Watson, R., Stevens, S., Passetti, F., … & Serfaty, M. (2007). The Stigma Scale: development of a standardised measure of the stigma of mental illness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(3), 248-254.
King, M., Dinos, S., Shaw, J., Watson, R., Stevens, S., Passetti, F., Weich, S., & Serfaty, M. (2007). The Stigma Scale: Development of a standardised measure of the stigma of mental illness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(3), 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.106.024638
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Stigma Scale?
The Stigma Scale is designed to measure the personal experiences and perceptions of stigma among individuals with mental health problems, encompassing aspects of discrimination, disclosure concerns, and perceived positive outcomes.
Who developed the Stigma Scale?
The scale was developed by Michael King and colleagues, as published in their 2007 study in The British Journal of Psychiatry.
How is the Stigma Scale structured?
The scale consists of 28 items divided into three subscales: Discrimination, Disclosure, and Positive Aspects, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
How is the Stigma Scale administered?
Participants self-report their experiences by indicating their level of agreement with each statement, reflecting on their personal encounters with stigma related to mental health.
Is the Stigma Scale a reliable and valid measure?
Yes, the Stigma Scale has demonstrated high reliability and validity in assessing stigma experiences among individuals with mental illness, with strong internal consistency and significant correlations with related constructs such as self-esteem.
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