A factor analytic evaluation of the Self-Stigma Scale-Short (SSS-S) among psychosocial clubhouse members in the United States.

The main purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, the internal consistency, and other aspects of validity of the English version of the Self-Stigma Scale-Short (SSS-S). In the present study, the SSS-S was assessed in a sample of 194 adults with psychiatric disabilities from four Psychosocial Clubhouses in the Southern and Midwestern United States. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 98) supported a one-factor structure of the SSS-S, which accounted for 59% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 96) demonstrated that the factor structure of the SSS-S was satisfactory. The scale was also reliable, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 and 0.91 for the EFA and CFA samples, respectively. The SSS-S showed adequate convergent and criterion-related validity, as indicated by statistically significant positive correlations between internalized stigma with perceived societal stigma, symptom severity, and functional impairment, as well as negative correlations between internalized stigma with perceived social self-efficacy, social support, and resiliency. Overall, these findings support the English version of the SSS-S as a valid and reliable tool for determining the internalized stigma of adults with psychiatric disabilities in clinical settings and similar research.