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

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; n_females = 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Stigma
• help-seeking behavior
• psychometrics
• college students
• alcohol use
• drug use
• substance use
• treatment

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.