Research Article

Stigma and Discrimination in People Suffering with a Mood Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

Table 2

Reliability coefficients for the 10-item Stigma Experience Scale.

Scale itemBipolar Disorder ( )Depression ( )
% EndorsedItem-rest correlation% EndorsedItem-rest correlation

Do you think people will think less of you if they know you have a mental illness?62.0%.3261.1%.35

Do you think that the average person is afraid of someone with a serious mental illness?69.6%.4673.3%.17

Have you ever been teased, bullied, or harassed because you have a mental illness?43.0%.4436.7%.54

Have you felt that you have been treated unfairly or that your rights have been denied because you have a mental illness?53.2%.3250.0%.49

Have your experiences with stigma affected your recovery?51.9%.4656.7%.60

Have your experiences with stigma caused you to think less about yourself or your abilities?65.8%.4571.1%.49

Have your experiences with stigma affected your ability to make or keep friends?49.4%.5855.6%.45

Have your experiences with stigma affected your ability to interact with your family?55.7%.4555.6%.42

Have your experiences with stigma affected your satisfaction with or quality of life?60.8%.4870.0%.45

Do you try to avoid situations that may be stigmatizing to you?65.8%.4071.1%.45

Kuder-Richarson coefficient of reliability (KR-20).77.78

Mean Scale Score (SD)**5.8 (2.8)6.0 (2.8)

CI5.1–6.45.4–6.6

*Note reduced sample size. Only respondents who answered all scale questions are included in the above table. (167 df)   =  .558, .