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Psychometric Properties of Three Measures of Stigma Among Hispanics with Depression

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Abstract

While many measures of mental illness stigma have been developed, few have been validated in Hispanic populations. This study examined the psychometric properties of three stigma measures (Stigma Concerns about Mental Health Care [SCMHC], Social Distance Scale [SDS], and Latino Scale for Antidepressant Stigma [LSAS]) among a depressed, Hispanic sample. Data were collected during baseline assessments for two studies taking place in primary care settings (N = 500). Psychometric and factor validity were tested for each measure. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated adequate model fit, and adequate internal consistency reliability was found for all three measures. Stigma scores significantly differed by education level and gender. Findings from this analysis provide support for the use of the SCMHC, SDS, and LSAS in a depressed, Hispanic population. Assessing barriers to depression treatment, including stigma, are critical in engaging Hispanics in care and eliminating disparities for the population.

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Funding

DESEO was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Grants to Support the Hispanic Health Services Research Grant Program (Grant No. 1H0CMS331363-01-00). METRIC was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD, 1R15MD010220-01).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA

    Brittany H. Eghaneyan

  2. College of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA

    Michael O. Killian

  3. School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, 211 South Cooper Street, Box 19129, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA

    Katherine Sanchez

  4. The Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, USA

    Leopoldo J. Cabassa

Authors
  1. Brittany H. Eghaneyan
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  2. Michael O. Killian
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  3. Katherine Sanchez
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  4. Leopoldo J. Cabassa
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. BE assisted in the data collection and preparation and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. MK performed the data analyses. KS was the Principal Investigator of Project DESESO and METRIC and also contributed to drafting the manuscript. LJC provided consultation to the research team and review and editing to the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Brittany H. Eghaneyan.

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Eghaneyan, B.H., Killian, M.O., Sanchez, K. et al. Psychometric Properties of Three Measures of Stigma Among Hispanics with Depression. J Immigrant Minority Health 23, 946–955 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01234-3

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