The multidimensional measure of internalized HIV stigma in English and Spanish: Measurement invariance and other psychometric properties

Elsa Martin, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Efforts to increase the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as well as prevention efforts have recently focused on HIV-related stigma. Sayles et al. (2008) developed the Multidimensional Measure or Internalized HIV Stigma (MMIHS), a measure of HIV-related stigma that is sensitive to minorities, women, and people with limited income. This study evaluated the four-factor structure presented by Sayles et al. (2008) on data collected from 269 HIV–positive individuals, and also validated a Spanish translation of the measure using a measurement invariance method. In addition to stigma, this study also collected information regarding depressive symptoms, HIV disclosure, attitudes towards disclosure and perceived social support. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the MMIHS with a measure of depression and yielded a significant and positive relationship in both languages. The fourth factor proposed by Sayles et al. (2008) was not identified in this sample in either language. The proposed four-factor structure was found to be a good fit for the Spanish group and a slightly bad fit for the English one. The Spanish version of the MMIHS was found invariant to the original English version.

Subject Area

Clinical psychology

Recommended Citation

Martin, Elsa, "The multidimensional measure of internalized HIV stigma in English and Spanish: Measurement invariance and other psychometric properties" (2011). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1503734.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1503734

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