Spanish adaptation of the Stillbirth Stigma Scale (SSS)

Abstract

The death of a baby in the perinatal period is considered a disenfranchized grief that can be a source of significant symptoms of guilt, shame, and stigma. There is a lack of validated instruments for assessing the stigma associated with perinatal grief. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties (factor structure, reliability, and validity) of the Spanish version of the Stillbirth Stigma Scale (SSS) in parents who have experienced a perinatal loss. A total of 291 participants (mostly mothers) completed an online questionnaire that included the SSS and other measures. The best-fitting factor structure was a second-order model with four dimensions and adequate reliability values. In terms of validity, we found statistically significant relationships between the SSS scores and the variables of self-esteem, complicated grief, event centrality, depression, and anxiety. In conclusion, the Spanish adaptation of the SSS is deemed to have adequate psychometric properties.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the associations and the mothers and fathers who took part in this study: Umamanita, Alé De Vida, Nubesma, Dolina, Hay un lugar, Mirando una estrella, Matrioskas, Artmemori, Brisa de Mariposa, Asociación Brazos Vacíos, Anhél Vallés, Petits amb llum, Maternidad Arcoíris, Cor a cor, Espai Psikos, Asociación Monpetit, Asociación Little stars, Servicio de soporte al duelo de poniente, Xadol, Bressols, Nanalma, Allá, Pulseras Blancas, Contigo, Circulo de familias en duelo, Mariposas para el duelo, Duelo Gestacional y Neonatal Murcia y Regazo vacío.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Program Redes-I 3CE for Research in University Teaching of the Institute of Education Science (Vice-Chancellorship of Quality and Educational Innovation) of the University of Alicante, edition 2020–21 [Ref. 5537].