Psychometric properties of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-10) scale in a Dutch sample of employees with mental illness

Abstract

Background: Internalized stigma can have numerous negative effects on the well-being and employment of people with mental illness. Brief, valid, and reliable measures are needed to get a better understanding of self-stigmatization. The aim of this study is to translate the brief version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-10) scale into a Dutch version and to assess the reliability and validity of this Dutch version in a sample of employees with mental illness. Methods: The ISMI-10 was translated into Dutch using the forward-backward translation procedure. The sample consisted of 161 employees with mental illness. Internal consistency was evaluated and the retest reliability was tested with 68 respondents. The construct validity was evaluated by testing convergent and divergent validity. Results: The Dutch ISMI-10 showed good internal consistency (α = 0.83) and good test-retest reliability (r = 0.73). The Dutch ISMI-10 demonstrated excellent convergent validity; high correlations were found between the Dutch ISMI-10 and hope (r = -0.54), anxiety and depression (r = 0.59), self-esteem (r = -0.56), and empowerment (r = − 0.59). Acceptable divergent validity was indicated; small correlations were found between the Dutch ISMI-10 and the physical functioning subscale (r = -0.27) and the role limitation due to physical problems subscale (r = -0.21), and medium correlations were found between the Dutch ISMI-10 and the general health subscale (r = -0.36). Conclusion: The Dutch ISMI-10 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for assessing internalized stigma and can be used by researchers in Dutch speaking countries to get a better understanding of self-stigmatization among people with mental illness.

Effectiveness of a Stigma Awareness Intervention on Reemployment of People with Mental Health Issues/Mental Illness: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

“…In addition, secondary variables were: (1) self-reported current mental health, measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire [ 32 , 33 ], a screening tool with good diagnostic validity for mental health disorders of somatoform, depression, anxiety, alcohol, and eating disorders; (2) positive wellbeing, which is measured with the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEM-WBS), a scale with good content validity and test–retest reliability [ 34 ]; (3) internalized stigma, using the 10-item Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-10) which has good internal consistency [ 35 , 36 ]; (4) experienced discrimination, measured with two specific items from the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC-12) [ 37 ] about finding and keeping a job; (5) work-related factors, i.e. active in searching and applying for jobs and five statements on a 5-point Likert scale about personal fears about reemployment; and (6) the quality of support from employment specialists, using three items of the Patient Satisfaction with Occupational Health Professionals scale [ 38 ].…”

The development and validation of tour guides internalized occupational stigma scale (TIOSS)

“…First, a comprehensive literature review in the field of occupational stigma was conducted to sort out the relevant scales as a reference. The current study revised some items from scales, including the Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) [24], the Self-Stigma Scale (SSS) [25], the Brief Internalized Sex-work Stigma Scale [40], the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI-10) [41], and Physician Internalized Occupational Stigma Scale (PIOSS) [42]. For instance, we revised the item 11 of the PIOSS from "I regret becoming a physician. "…”