The mental illness microaggressions scale-perpetrator version (MIMS-P): Reliability and validity.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Sciences
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Microaggressions contribute to stigma against marginalized groups.
• Understanding perpetrator perspectives is crucial for intervention development.
• Existing measures do not capture microaggressions from the perpetrator's viewpoint.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new scale measuring microaggression behaviors perpetrated against individuals with mental illness.
• To examine the psychometric properties of the new measure.
• To provide a tool for empirical research on microaggressions and mental illness stigma.

Main Methods:

• An initial item pool was developed.
• 505 participants completed an online survey including a 20-item microaggression measure.
• Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the scale's structure.

Main Results:

• Exploratory factor analysis identified three subscales: Assumption of Inferiority (α=0.81), Patronization (α=0.78), and Fear of Mental Illness (α=0.63).
• The measure demonstrated strong internal consistency.
• Convergent validity was supported with existing mental illness stigma measures.

Conclusions:

• The Microaggression in Mental Illness Perpetrator Scale (MIMS-P) is the first instrument to measure microaggressions from the perpetrator's perspective.
• The MIMS-P exhibits strong psychometric properties.
• This scale can enhance understanding of perpetrator attitudes and inform intervention strategies for mental illness stigma.