Impact of health‐related stigma on psychosocial functioning in cancer patients: Construct validity of the stigma‐related social problems scale

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Stigma‐related Social Problems scale (SSP) in a cancer population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SSP was sent to 1,179 cancer patients. Mean age was 67.9 year and 43% were women. Tests of internal consistency reliability, construct validity, item‐scale convergent validity, ceiling and floor effects and known‐group validity were conducted. RESULTS: The response rate was 62%, and the final sample comprised 728 patients. Reliability coefficients were high for both subscales (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94). Exploratory factor analyses confirmed the unidimensionality and homogeneity of the scales. Item‐scale correlations for both scales indicated satisfactory item‐scale convergent validity. The proportion of subjects scoring at the lowest possible score level was 26% for the Distress scale and 28% for the Avoidance scale, while ceiling effects were marginal (<1%). The proportion of missing items was low, ranging from 1.4% to 1.5%. Known‐group validity tests confirmed that the scales could capture expected differences between subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The SSP scale is a feasible instrument with sound psychometric properties that is validated in a study on 728 cancer patients. The instrument can be used to identify cancer patients at risk for psychosocial disturbances and thus in need of support.