Reliability and validity of internalized stigmatization scale in psoriasis

Abstract

Background and Design: Internalized stigma involves endorsing negative feelings and beliefs, such as insignificance, shame and withdrawal triggered by applying these negative stereotypes to oneself. The Internalized Stigma Scale has not been applied to psoriasis patients. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Internalized Stigma Scale in psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: 100 consecutive, volunteer psoriasis patients (48 female, 52 male; aged, 40.5915.44 years) were enrolled in the study. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and body surface area (BSA) were evaluated by a physician (A.B.T.). The patients responded contemporaneously to Psoriasis Internalized Stigma Scale (PISS), Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DQoL), and the Perceived Health Status (PHS), single-item self-rated general health questionnaire, of which Likert scores 1, 2, and 3 were classified as "from fair to very poor", and 4, 5 as "good". Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the PISS subscales was 0.83 for alienation, 0.70 for stereotype endorsement, 0.70 for perceived discrimination, 0.84 for social withdrawal, and 0.68 for stigma resistance. The same value was 0.89 for the total scale. Mean PISS and DQoL scores were 58.812.6 and 10.09.4, respectively. The PISS was significantly correlated with the patients' DQoL scores (r=0.726, p=0.001). Ama: selletirilmi damgalanma, bireyin toplum tarafndan oluturulan hastalkla ilgili olumsuz kalp yarglar kabullenmesi ve deersizlik, utan gibi duygulanmlarla kendisini toplumdan