Research Article

Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale

Volume: 14 Number: 2 August 30, 2025
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Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop the "Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale" (EISS) and to assess its validity and reliability. Method: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional methodological study. In the study, the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale (EISS) was developed, and its validity and reliability were tested. A total of 162 individuals aged 65 and above participated in the study. Participants were administered a sociodemographic information questionnaire, the EISS, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale for Older Adults (WHOQOL-AGE), and the WHO-Europe Attitudes of Aging Questionnaire (EAAQ). The EISS consists of 17 items, three subdimensions (Awareness, Agreement, and Self-Application), and a total score designed to assess the level of internalized stigma among elderly individuals. The response options for the scale items are based on a three-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicating greater stigma. Psychometric analyses of the developed EISS were conducted using Lisrel 9.1 and SPSS 25.0 software. Results: Of the participants, 54.3% were women, with a mean age of 76.5 ± 7.9 years; 40.1% were uneducated, and 48.1% were currently married. The confirmatory factor analysis results indicated a good model fit, with RMSEA=0.042, chi-square/degrees of freedom=1.28, CFI=0.98, and Stand.RMR=0.052. For concurrent validity, there was a strong correlation between the EISS and the EAAQ (r=-0.83), while for discriminant validity, a strong correlation was observed between the EISS and WHOQOL-AGE scores (r=-0.78). The EISS demonstrated high discriminative power regarding variables such as age, education level, economic status, place of residence, and health perception. The scale’s internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) was 0.89 overall, with subdimension values of 0.82 for Awareness, 0.67 for Agreement, and 0.88 for Self-Application. Conclusion: The developed scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring internalized stigma in elderly people.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 30, 2025

Submission Date

January 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 2

APA
Karasoy, G., & Baydur, H. (2025). Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(2), 251-263. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158
AMA
1.Karasoy G, Baydur H. Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale. BAUN Health Sci J. 2025;14(2):251-263. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158
Chicago
Karasoy, Gizem, and Hakan Baydur. 2025. “Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 14 (2): 251-63. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158.
EndNote
Karasoy G, Baydur H (August 1, 2025) Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 14 2 251–263.
IEEE
[1]G. Karasoy and H. Baydur, “Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale”, BAUN Health Sci J, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 251–263, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158.
ISNAD
Karasoy, Gizem - Baydur, Hakan. “Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 14/2 (August 1, 2025): 251-263. https://doi.org/10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158.
JAMA
1.Karasoy G, Baydur H. Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale. BAUN Health Sci J. 2025;14:251–263.
MLA
Karasoy, Gizem, and Hakan Baydur. “Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale”. Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 251-63, doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158.
Vancouver
1.Gizem Karasoy, Hakan Baydur. Development, Validity and Reliability of the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale. BAUN Health Sci J. 2025 Aug. 1;14(2):251-63. doi:10.53424/balikesirsbd.1621158

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