title: Understanding affiliate stigma faced by heterosexual family and friends of LGB people: A measurement development study.
abstract: The present study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Affiliate Stigma Measure (LGB-ASM). Existing qualitative research and feedback from experts in stigma research contributed to the development of 48 items that were subjected to psychometric evaluation resulting in the final 17-item measure. Exploratory factor analysis of data from 471 LGB affiliates (family members and close friends of LGB individuals) resulted in 3 factors reflecting experiences of LGB affiliate stigma including (a) public discrimination/rejection affiliate stigma, (b) vicarious affiliate stigma, and (c) public shame affiliate stigma. Confirmatory factor analysis of data from a separate 101 participants supported the stability of the 3-factor model. Further psychometric evaluation of the measure resulted in evidence supporting the reliability (i.e., Cronbach's alphas of .71 to .93), convergent validity (i.e., with stigma consciousness, r = .17 to .45; with awareness of public devaluation, r = .18 to .28), and discriminant validity (i.e., with socially desirable responding, r = -.16 to .05). The final 17-item LGB-ASM yielded 2-to 3-week test-retest reliability coefficients of .74 to .76 with a sample of 61 participants. Exploratory links between the LGB-ASM and psychological distress (using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21) were evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University.
authors.forename: Melanie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brewster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012752:Shame; D057545:Social Stigma