The Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Community Version1

Abstract

This paper describes 2 studies that evaluated a new instrument, the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV). The PEDQ-CV can be used across ethnic groups to assess perceived racism or ethnic discrimination. The scales measure several subdimensions of racism, permitting the examination of different forms of this race-related stressor. The first study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PEDQ-CV in a large sample of community-dwelling adults. The second evaluated psychometric properties of a brief version of the PEDQ-CV, developed for research protocols requiring a shorter administration time. Tests were made of reliability and several forms of construct validity. Both versions of the PEDQ-CV have good reliability and construct validity. The PEDQ-CV can facilitate the development of an integrative body of knowledge across different ethnic groups regarding the existence, determinants, and consequences of discrimination.Racism or ethnic discrimination3 has been hypothesized to contribute to the well-documented racial and ethnic disparities in health (Anderson & Armstead, 3There is little consensus on the best terms to use to distinguish among groups based on phenotypic or cultural characteristics, and both scientific and political factors influence the debate. Some terms (e.g., Black) have been used to refer to racial groups, Vootnote continues on the nexr puge)

Perceived ethnic discrimination and persecutory paranoia in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis

“…There is also evidence of construct validity, with those reporting higher levels of exposure to discrimination also indicating that they felt more threatened (r = .43, p < 0.0001) and harmed (r =.46, p < 0.0001) by these experiences (Brondolo et al, 2005). Reliability of the PEDQ-CV in the current sample was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97).…”

“…The PEDQ-CV has good reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.87) (Brondolo et al, 2005, Kwok et al, 2011. There is also evidence of construct validity, with those reporting higher levels of exposure to discrimination also indicating that they felt more threatened (r = .43, p < 0.0001) and harmed (r =.46, p < 0.0001) by these experiences (Brondolo et al, 2005).…”

“…Perceived ethnic discrimination encompasses the subjective experience of differential treatment based on appearance, language, religious or socio-cultural characteristics (Brondolo et al , 2005;Westhoff, 1993). As it emphasises appraisal, perceived ethnic discrimination is not limited to "objective" discriminatory occurrences but may also include more subtle experiences that outside observers might not identify as discrimination (Clark et al, 1999).…”

Validade de constructo da escala Experiences of Discrimination em uma população brasileira

“…Nesse sentido, outros instrumentos mostraram estruturas fatoriais de mais de um fator, incorporando na validação subescalas referentes a diferentes dimensões do racismo. Como exemplos, vale citar o instrumento Measure of Indigenous Racism Experience desenvolvido por Paradies & Cunningham 41 , que avalia o sentimento de consciência racial com base na frequência com que as pessoas pensam sobre ser indígena; ou Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire, que avalia a exposição à discriminação de amigos ou membros da família do respondente 18 . Outra escala, a Negative Life Events Scale, indaga especificamente sobre a preocupação do respondente ou familiar próximo com certos eventos estressantes na vida, entre eles o racismo e a discriminação 42 .…”

“…Além disso, os indicadores grupais oferecem uma medida auxiliar de discriminação que poderia detectar formas estruturais de racismo 16 . Exemplos desses instrumentos são a escala modificada Perceived Prejudice in Health Care 17,18 , desenvolvida para estudar a discriminação em cuidados em saúde; e a Perceived Group Stigma Measure 19 , desenhada para mensurar a percepção de estigma e discriminação sofrida por minorias sexuais.…”