Validity and reliability of the internalized stigma of Mental Illness Scale–Adolescent Form

Abstract

Purpose The goal of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale–Adolescent Form (ISMI‐AF). Methods A total of 145 adolescents (12–18 years of age) who were diagnosed with at least one mental disorder according to DSM‐5‐TR participated in the study. Data were collected at a mental health hospital between October 2017 and 2019 using a sociodemographic information form, the ISMI‐AF, and Beliefs towards Mental Illness (BMI) Scale. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha, Split–Half, Spearman–Brown, Hotelling T2 test) and validity analyses of the ISMI‐AF were performed. SPSS 26.0 and LISREL 8.80 software were used for statistical analyses. Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for total score was .88, Split–Half score was .84, and the Spearman–Brown factor score was .85. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale confirmed to the five‐factor structure in adolescents, but factor loadings and reliability coefficients were low in the “stigma resistance” subscale. There was a positive and weak correlation between ISMI‐AF and BMI (r = .37, p = .00). Conclusion The ISMI‐AF is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in adolescents. This scale can help psychiatric nurses who work in this field identify and address internalized stigma, which is one of the key factors affecting adherence to treatment, especially in adolescents.

Which factors affect internalized stigmatization in adolescents with mental disorders?

“…The total ISMI‐AF points of the adolescents in the current study were determined to be at a moderate level (Table 4). This was similar to the findings of the ISMI‐AF validity and reliability study by Dikeç et al (2021), which showed a moderate level of internalize stigmatization with a mean of 2.06 ± 0.45 points. In the current study, gender and number of hospitalizations explained 18% of the change in the total ISMI‐AF scale points (Table 5).…”

“…This form was developed by Boyd‐Ritsher et al (2003) and the reliability and validity studies of the Turkish version were conducted by Dikeç et al (2021). It is a self‐reported scale of 29 items evaluating internalized stigmatization.…”

“…For the collection of data for the study, a Personal information form prepared for adolescents and the Internalized Stigmatization of Mental Illness-Adolescent Form (ISMI-AF) were used. | 363 Dikeç et al (2021). It is a self-reported scale of 29 items evaluating internalized stigmatization.…”

“…Higher points indicate a higher level of internalized stigmatization. In the reliability and validity studies of the scale for use with Turkish children and adolescents, the Cronbach α coefficient was determined to be 0.88 for total points, 0.78 for alienation, 0.67 for stereotype endorsement, 0.71 for discrimination experience, 0.76 for social withdrawal, and 0.35 for stigma resistance (Dikeç et al, 2021). In the current study, the Cronbach α coefficient for the ISMI-AF was determined to be 0.89 for total points, 0.82 for alienation, 0.77 for stereotype endorsement, 0.83 for discrimination experience, 0.85 for social withdrawal, and 0.57 for stigma resistance.…”

Do We Learn to Internalize Stigma from Our Parents? Comparison of Internalized Stigmatization in Adolescents Diagnosed with ADHD and Their Parents

“…In this study, two information forms were used to collect data on adolescents' and their parents' socio-demographic status and mental illnesses. There were 11 questions designed for adolescents, which formed the Adolescent Information Form, and there were 13 questions in the Parent Information Form [18,21,[24][25][26][27]. The internalized stigmatization levels of the adolescents were determined by the Internalized Stigmatization of Mental Illness Scale-Adolescents Form (ISMI-AF).…”