Objectives: A better understanding of self-stigma facilitates the development and evaluation of anti-stigma measures. In this study, the Self-Stigma of Depression Scale (SSDS) is applied for the first time in Germany. The focus lies on feasibility and psychometric characteristics of the scale.
Methods: Data stem from a representative population survey in Germany (N = 2,013). The 16 items of the original SSDS are used to assess anticipated self-stigma in case of depression. Main component analysis is applied to analyze the factor structure.
Results: The original version of the SDSS could not be replicated in the German sample. Instead of four, three factors emerged in the German version. They are similar to three subscales of the original SSDS: "social inadequacy", "help-seeking inhibition" and "self-blame". The internal reliability of the total scale as well as of the first two subscales is acceptable.
Conclusion: SSDS is a multidimensional construct and can serve as an important instrument in research regarding self-stigma of depression in Germany. A further development of the German scale is recommended in order to gain greater insight into the nature of (anticipated) depression self-stigma.
Ziel der studie: Erstmalig werden die Anwendbarkeit und psychometrische Charakteristika einer deutschen Version der Self-Stigma of Depression Scale (SSDS) getestet.
Methodik: Basis ist eine bundesweite Befragung (N = 2013). Die 16 Items der SSDS wurden in einer Hauptkomponentenanalyse untersucht.
Ergebnisse: Es ergaben sich 3 Subskalen („soziale Unzulänglichkeit“, „Hemmungen bei der Hilfesuche“, „eigene Schuldzuschreibung“). Die Gesamtskala und die ersten beiden Subskalen weisen akzeptable Reliabilitäten auf.
Schlussfolgerungen: Selbststigma ist als ein mehrdimensionales Konstrukt aufzufassen. Eine Weiterentwicklung der Skala wird empfohlen.
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.