[Italian contribute to the CIASS validation]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Medical Sociology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Interpersonal relationships are crucial for psychological adjustment in chronic disease patients.
• Fear of prejudice and discrimination can negatively impact patients' health and life satisfaction.
• Anticipated stigma is a significant concern for individuals managing chronic health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and validate the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS) for the Italian population.
• To provide a reliable instrument for assessing perceived stigma in various life contexts.
• To enhance understanding of the psychological impact of chronic illness.

Main Methods:

• Administered the 12-item CIASS to 279 patients with chronic illnesses.
• Conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the Italian sample.
• Correlated CIASS scores with measures of depression (BDI-II), anxiety (STAI), and internalized stigma.

Main Results:

• CFA confirmed the original three-dimensional structure of the CIASS in the Italian sample.
• The scale assesses anticipated stigma in relation to family/friends, work colleagues, and healthcare providers.
• Significant correlations were found between anticipated stigma scores and indicators of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

• The Italian version of the CIASS is a valid and reliable measure of anticipated stigma.
• The scale serves as an indicator of a patient's health status.
• CIASS is a valuable tool for identifying perceived discrimination in family, care, and work environments.