French validation of the Stigma Resistance Scale in a sample of people with psychotic disorders

The aim of this study was to translate the Stigma Resistance Scale into French and to examine its psychometric qualities to measure stigma resistance in people with psychotic disorders.

The Stigma Resistance Scale was rigorously translated into French, involving translation, back-translation, and adjustments based on focus groups. The French version of the Stigma Resistance Scale comprises 20 items divided into five subscales measuring resistance to stigma at different levels. The psychometric qualities of the French version were assessed in comparison with other scales such as the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms, and the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form. The study involved 59 patients with psychotic disorders and was approved by a committee for the protection of individuals. Participants were recruited from seven investigating centers, and data were collected via semi-structured interviews and self-questionnaires.

The five-factor structure developed by the original scale for a multi-diagnostic population was not found by confirmatory factor analysis on our sample. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure. Internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was greater than 0.7 in favor of a strong internal consistency of the psychometric instrument. The correlation result obtained with the only instrument measuring stigma resistance (Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness subscale) demonstrated good convergent validity (r=-0.37). Similarly, scores on the Stigma Resistance Scale were strongly correlated with scores on other scales measuring negative symptomatology, depression, quality of life and insight. This demonstrates the satisfactory divergent validity of the instrument.

The study aimed to validate the Stigma Resistance Scale in French, revealing a two-factor structure in patients with psychotic disorders. The two dimensions identified reflect a proactive attitude to stigma (egocentrism) and a willingness to defend the rights of people with mental disorders (allocentrism). Cultural factors may explain the differences in the factorial models between the original and French versions. The Stigma Resistance Scale is the first tool validated in the French language to provide a specific self-assessment of stigma resistance with good psychometric properties for patients suffering from psychotic disorders.