Evaluation of Turkish Validity and Reliability of The Depression Stigma Scale (DSS)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS), which assesses the level of stigmatization of people with depression. The study is a methodological study conducted with Eskisehir Osmangazi University students. In order to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the scale, the scale was applied to 37 students from the Faculty of Medicine with a two-week interval. In the analyzes, it was seen that the scope validity of the scale was provided. Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH) was used to evaluate the equivalence validity of the DSS. The analyzes were performed with IBM SPSS (Version 15.0) and LISREL (Student Version) programs. Validity and reliability analyzes of the scale were performed. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, the factor loadings of the scale items were found to be greater than 0.30. In Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the fit indexes of the two-factor structure of the scale were found at acceptable intervals. It was found that the scores of the scale did not change according to age groups and gender. There was a positive correlation between DSS and SSRPH and equivalent criterion validity was found. The Cronbach's alpha values of the DSS were 0.64 in the Personal Stamping sub-dimension, 0.85 in the Perceived Stamping sub-dimension and 0.80 in the whole scale. The scale's test-retest reliability was found in the correlation analysis. As a result, it was seen that DSS was valid and reliable in measuring depression-related stigma.