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Methods in Addiction Research

Psychometric properties of the perceived stigma towards substance users scale: factor structure, internal consistency, and associations with help-seeking variables

ORCID Icon &
Pages 158-166 | Received 28 Apr 2019, Accepted 17 Aug 2019, Published online: 06 Sep 2019
 

ABSTRACT

Background: Stigma toward substance users is a barrier to seeking treatment.

Objective: The aim for this paper was to examine the psychometric properties of the Perceived Stigma Toward Substance Users (PSAS) and its relationship with help-seeking variables.

Methods: College students (N = 791; nfemales = 557, 70%) responded to the PSAS and other help-seeking-related measures in an online study.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional factor structure and acceptable model fit after modifications (CFI = .961; TLI = .937; RMSEA = .067, 90% C.I. = .050 to .085; SRMR = .035). Results indicated good internal consistency estimates (α = .80; ω = .80). The PSAS was negatively associated with intent to seek treatment for substance issues and willingness to self-disclose negative emotions. The PSAS was also positively correlated with stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues, attitudes concerning risk associated with help-seeking, self-concealment, anticipated risks associated with seeking treatment. When embedded within a larger path model that predicts intent to seek treatment for substance use issues (CFI = .925; TLI = .895; RMSEA = .061, 90%C.I. = .052 to .069; p close fit = .019; SRMR = .049), the PSAS had an incremental contribution to predicting the criterion variable even after accounting for frequency of alcohol use-related problems, and stigma and attitudes associated with seeking help for general mental health issues.

Conclusion: These findings provide further reliability and validity evidence for PSAS, especially in relation to help-seeking variables. Reducing stigma toward substance users can help increase treatment utilization.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this project were from internal departmental funding.

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