Ayumi Takano: Department of Drug Dependence Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan. ORCID
Chiaki Hiraiwa: Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Erina Oikawa: Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Akiko Tomikawa: Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Kyosuke Nozawa: Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
AIM: Stigma against people who have alcohol and drug problems severely affects their health and well-being. An instrument based on stigma theory assessing individual-level stigma is essential for a comprehensive understanding of their stigma. We evaluated the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Substance Use Stigma Mechanism Scale (SU-SMS-J) among a population who had alcohol or drug use problems. METHODS: Adults with experience in Substance Use disorders from psychiatry outpatient departments and rehabilitation facilities participated in the self-administered questionnaire survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the structural validity of the 5-factor model proposed in other language versions, and factor loadings and correlation between the subscales were confirmed. The correlations between the SU-SMS-J and psychometric properties related to Substance Use (e.g., severity of Substance Use, motivation to change) were investigated to assess concurrent validity. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. RESULTS: Data from 126 participants were analyzed. The 5-factor model was acceptable with good or reasonable model fit indices. The correlations between subscales were weak to moderate, and this result suggested the SU-SMS-J assessed different but related components of stigma: enacted, anticipated, and internalized stigma from different stigma sources (family and healthcare workers). The SU-SMS-J and subscales showed moderate concurrent validity. Internal consistency was mostly sufficient, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.86 for all items and 0.66-0.93 for subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The SU-SMS-J is valid and reliable for use among populations with Substance Use problems in various settings in Japan.
References
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023 Aug 1;249:110873
[PMID: 37390780]
Value Health. 2005 Mar-Apr;8(2):94-104
[PMID: 15804318]
