Affiliation: | 1. University of Michigan, Women''s and Gender Studies Program & Department of Health & Human Services, Dearborn, Michigan;2. University of Michigan, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Ann Arbor, Michigan;3. University of Michigan, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Abstract: | ObjectivesWe report on the development of a scale measuring abortion providers’ experiences of stigma.Study DesignUsing previous measures, qualitative data, and expert review, we created a 49-item question pool. We administered questions to 315 abortion providers before participation in the Providers Share Workshop. We explored the factor structure and item quality using exploratory factor analysis. We assessed reliability using Cronbach's alpha. To test construct validity, we calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients between the stigma scales, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the K10 measure of psychological distress. We used Stata SE/12.0 for analyses.ResultsFactor analysis revealed a 35-item, five-factor model: worries about disclosure, internalized states, social judgment, social isolation, and discrimination (Cronbach's alphas 0.79–0.94). Our stigma measure was correlated with psychological distress (r = 0.40; p < .001), and with Maslach Burnout Inventory's emotional exhaustion (r = 0.27; p < .001), and depersonalization (0.23; p < .001) subscales, and was inversely correlated with Maslach Burnout Inventory's personal accomplishment subscale (r = ?0.15; p < .05).ConclusionsPsychometric analysis of this scale reveals that it is a reliable and valid tool for measuring stigma in abortion providers, and may be helpful in evaluating stigma reduction programs. |