Preliminary validity and reliability of the Sickle Cell Disease Health-Related Stigma Scale

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2012 Jun;33(6):363-9. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2012.656823.

Abstract

There have been no published studies that measure health-related stigma in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study provides preliminary validity and reliability of the Sickle Cell Disease Health-Related Stigma Scale (SCD-HRSS). Using a sample of 77 young adults with SCD, ages 18-35 years, the results support the reliability of the SCD-HRSS with an overall Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.84 and construct validity with a positive correlation between SCD-HRSS and a measure of depressive symptoms. Participants reported the highest levels of perceived stigma from the general public, then doctors, and lastly family. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / nursing*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / psychology*
  • Depressive Disorder / nursing
  • Depressive Disorder / prevention & control
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Stigma*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Young Adult