title: The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale: validation of the Japanese version.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study investigated the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale, designed to assess internalized stigma experienced by people with mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted with 173 outpatients with mental illness who attended psychiatric clinics on a regular basis. A retest was conducted with 51 participants to evaluate the scale's psychometric properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The alpha coefficient for the overall internal consistency was 0.91, and the coefficients of the individual ISMI subscales ranged from 0.57 to 0.81. The test-retest reliability was r = 0.85 (n = 51, P < 0.01). In terms of criterion-related validity, the Japanese version of the ISMI scale was significantly correlated with the Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r = -0.53, P < 0.01), and the Empowerment Scale (r = -0.52, P < 0.01). In addition, factor analyses of the ISMI items demonstrated a four-factor solution for the alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, and social withdrawal subscales, with the stigma resistance items excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Japanese version of the ISMI scale demonstrated similar reliability and validity to the original English version. Therefore, the Japanese version of the ISMI scale may be an effective and valid tool to measure internalized stigma among Japanese people who have a mental illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Science and Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8514, Japan. tanabe-y@takasaki-u.ac.jp.|Department of Nursing, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-0033, Japan. tanabe-y@takasaki-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Science and Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8514, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Center for Medical Education, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ideno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Internalized stigma; Mental disorders; Mental health; Psychometrics; Validation study