Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and Associations with Personal and Perceived Stigma in a Depressed and Community Sample
Date
2016-08-08
Authors
Boerema, A M
Zoonen, K van
Cuijpers, P
Holtmaat, C J M
Mokkink, L B
Griffiths, Kathleen M
Kleiboer, A M
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Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on depression stigma is needed to gain more insight into the underlying construct and to reduce the level of stigma in the community. However, few validated measurements of depression stigma are available in the Netherlands. Therefore, this study first sought to examine the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). Second, we examined which demographic (gender, age, education, partner status) and other variables (anxiety and knowledge of depression) are associated with personal and perceived stigma within these samples. METHODS The study population consisted of an adult convenience sample (n = 253) (study 1) and a community adult sample with elevated depressive symptoms (n = 264) (study 2). Factor structure, internal consistency, and validity were assessed. The associations between stigma, demographic variables and anxiety level were examined with regression analyses. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis supported the validity and internal consistency of the DSS personal stigma scale. Internal consistency was sufficient (Cronbach's alpha = .70 (study 1) and .77 (study 2)). The results regarding the perceived stigma scale revealed no clear factor structure. Regression analyses showed that personal stigma was higher in younger people, those with no experience with depression, and those with lower education. CONCLUSIONS This study established the validity and internal consistency of the DSS personal scale in the Netherlands, in a community sample and in people with elevated depressive symptoms. However, additional research is needed to examine the factor structure of the DSS perceived scale and its use in other samples.
Description
Keywords
adolescent, adult, aged, aged, 80 and over, anxiety disorders, depressive disorder, factor analysis, statistical, female, humans, male, middle aged, Netherlands, perception, psychiatric status rating scales, psychometrics, surveys and questionnaires, young adult, social stigma
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Source
PloS one
Type
Journal article
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Access Statement
Open Access