Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Gerontology
• Sociology

Background:

• The Affiliate Stigma Scale measures stigma in caregivers of individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
• Cultural adaptation is crucial for the Asian Indian community, where dementia stigma may be linked to beliefs about past sins.
• Prior work adapted the scale for Asian Indian American dementia family caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reliability and validity of a culturally adapted Affiliate Stigma Scale.
• To provide a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring affiliate stigma in Asian Indian American dementia family caregivers.

Main Methods:

• A convenience sample of 222 Asian Indian dementia family caregivers in the U.S. participated.
• Data were collected via digital and paper surveys.
• Psychometric properties were evaluated using descriptive analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha), and construct validity.

Main Results:

• The culturally adapted 22-item Affiliate Stigma Scale demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96).
• Confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution with strong to moderate item relationships (factor loading range 0.573–0.832).
• The sample largely comprised individuals without a formal dementia diagnosis for their family member, with high education and employment levels.

Conclusions:

• The culturally adapted scale is reliable and valid, meeting psychometric standards.
• This instrument is valuable for future research and clinical assessment of affiliate stigma among Asian Indian American dementia family caregivers.