Measuring Oppression Experienced by Service Users While They are Receiving Services from Human Service Organizations

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study uses a sequential mixed-method design to test a measure of service user oppression in human service organization. A five-factor measurement model of service user oppression is tested using confirmatory factor analysis of cross-sectional survey data (n = 374), followed by qualitative focus groups to provide context. All five factors of the Service User Oppression Scale were confirmed indicating that 84.5% of service users had experienced oppression. The research provides a valid and reliable tool to assess service user experiences of oppression.