Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of self-stigma of mental illness scale

Objective To translate the English version of Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (SSMIS) into Chinese and evaluate the scale's reliability and validity. Methods According to Jones' Translation Model, the English version of Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (SSMIS) was translated into Chinese. And then use the Self-esteem scale, self-efficacy scale to test the criterion validity of SSMIS.The study investigated in a sample of 192 patients with mental illness in Guangzhou city by convenience sampling. The exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's α coefficient were used to test the scale's reliability and validity. Results The overall Coronach's α coefficient of SSMIS-C was 0.96, and the Coronach's α coefficient among the four subscales was from 0.90 to 0.94. The correlation coefficient between the total scale and each factor was from 0.81 to 0.90, the correlation coefficient among each factor was from 0.42 to 0.78. And the correlation coefficient between the self-esteem, self-efficacy and SSMIS-C showed statistical significance(r=-0.346~-0.144)(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion The reliability and construct validity of SSMIS-C are in line with the requirements of psychometrics, which can be applied to self-stigma in China. Key words: Mental illness; Stigma; Psychometric