Comprehensive Assessment of Mental Health Stigma

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Mental health stigma is a major obstacle preventing young individuals from seeking necessary support.
• Understanding and quantifying stigma is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze mental health stigma in young people using the Stigma and Self-Stigma Scales (SASS).
• To examine gender differences in mental health stigma from psychometric and statistical perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A representative sample of 378 university students (mean age 20.78 years, 61.6% women) was surveyed.
• The Stigma and Self-Stigma Scales (SASS) internal structure and measurement invariance between genders were assessed.
• Stratified random cluster sampling ensured sample representativeness.

Main Results:

• The five-factor model of the SASS demonstrated good fit.
• Scalar invariance between genders was confirmed, indicating the scale measures stigma similarly across genders.
• Boys reported higher levels of stigma in several dimensions compared to girls.
• Reliability analyses showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α: .62–.80; McDonald's ω: .60–.79).

Conclusions:

• The Stigma and Self-Stigma Scales (SASS) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing mental health stigma.
• The SASS is suitable for use in university settings, providing a brief and simple measurement tool.