title: Adaptation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spaniards with HIV.
abstract: The primary goal of this study was to adapt Berger, Ferrans, & Lahley (2001) HIV Stigma Scale in Spain, using Bunn, Solomon, Miller, & Forehand (2007) version. A second goal assessed whether the four-factor structure of the adapted scale could be explained by two higher-order dimensions, perceived external stigma and internalized stigma. A first qualitative study (N = 40 people with HIV, aged 28-59) was used to adapt the items and test content validity. A second quantitative study analyzed construct and criterion validity. In this study participants were 557 people with HIV, aged 18-76. The adapted HIV Stigma Scale for use in Spain (HSSS) showed a good internal consistency (α = .88) and good construct validity. Confirmatory Factor Analyses yielded a first-order, four-factor structure and a higher-order, bidimensional structure with the two expected factors (RMSEA = .051, 90% CI [.046, .056]; RMR = .073; GFI = .96; AGFI = .96; CFI = .98). Negative relations were found between stigma and quality of life (r = -.39; p < .01), self-efficacy to cope with stigma (r = -.50; p < .01) and the degree of HIV status disclosure (r = -.35; p < .01). Moreover, the people who had suffered AIDS-related opportunistic infections had a higher score in the Perceived External Stigma dimension than those who had not suffered them, t (493) = 3.02, p = .003, d = 0.26.
authors.affiliation: UNED (Spain).
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fuster-RuizdeApodaca
authors.affiliation: UNED (Spain).
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molero
authors.affiliation: UNED (Spain).
authors.forename: Francisco Pablo
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Holgado
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Burgos (Spain).
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ubillos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057545:Social Stigma; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; Spain; adaptation; stigma scale; validity