This study investigated the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma (AAQ-S-K) in people with diabetes. A total of 208 patients with diabetes participated in the study. After performing forward and backward translation of the original version of the AAQ-S into Korean, its validity (construct and concurrent validity) and reliability were assessed. Construct validity measured using confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit. Concurrent validity was confirmed through the significant correlation between the AAQ-S-K, acceptance and action, diabetes self-stigma and diabetes distress. The AAQ-S-K was positively correlated with acceptance and action and had a negative correlation with diabetes self-stigma and diabetes distress. The reliability of the AAQ-S-K ranged from 0.82 to 0.88. The AAQ-S-K can be applied to assess stigma acceptance and action in Korean patients with diabetes and to compare the level of psychological flexibility of patients with diabetes internationally.
Keywords: Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma (AAQ-S); acceptance and commitment therapy; diabetes mellitus; social stigma.