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A Psychometric Analysis of the Military Stigma Scale
Samantha Cacace1,2, Robert J Cramer2, Max Stivers3
1University of Reading, UK.
Assessment
|December 26, 2025
Summary
Military service members face significant mental health challenges and avoid seeking care due to stigma. This study found that rank and education influence perceptions of private and public stigma, impacting help-seeking behaviors in the military population.
Area of Science:
- Military Health
- Psychological Measurement
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- U.S. military personnel exhibit higher rates of mental health conditions like PTSD and depression compared to civilians.
- A significant barrier to care is the stigma associated with mental health help-seeking within the military community.
- Existing research often fails to differentiate the various components of stigma, hindering effective intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply and extend a bifactor model analysis to the Military Stigma Scale (MSS).
- To investigate how demographic factors such as rank and education influence the measurement of stigma constructs.
- To assess the reliability and validity of the MSS bifactor model in a diverse military sample.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bifactor model approach to analyze data from the Military Stigma Scale (MSS).
- Collected data from a large sample of 1,832 U.S. Army National Guard members.
- Conducted invariance testing across different military ranks and education levels.
Main Results:
- The bifactor model demonstrated acceptable fit for the MSS data.
- Invariance testing revealed significant differences in stigma experiences based on rank and education.
- Higher paygrades and college education correlated with lower perceived private stigma but higher public stigma.
Conclusions:
- The findings question the universal applicability of the bifactor model for the MSS, particularly concerning expected common variance and specific factor reliability.
- Disparities in stigma experiences highlight the need for nuanced approaches to understanding and addressing mental health help-seeking barriers in the military.
- Further research is needed to refine stigma measurement tools and develop targeted interventions for military populations.
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