Psychometric properties of the Czech version of the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy

PLoS One. 2018 Mar 29;13(3):e0195225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195225. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Although significant attention has been devoted to analyzing stigma associated with epilepsy, there is still a significant lack of valid and reliable instruments. We aimed to validate the 23-item Czech version of the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE; originally developed in Brazil), which has been used to evaluate epilepsy-related stigma in the general population. Verification of the SSE questionnaire was carried out in a group of 207 students aged 15-18 years of whom none had epilepsy. These students completed the SSE twice in a period of 3-6 months as part of standard test-retest evaluation practice. The instrument exhibits good psychometric properties including internal consistency higher than in the original version (Cronbach's alpha of 0.856 here compared with 0.81 reported in Brazil) and acceptable test-retest reliability. Using exploratory factor analysis (not provided for the original version), four factors were identified and corresponding subscales were described and interpreted. Two items did not fit into the structure and were eliminated. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to propose and verify the hierarchical 4-factor structure of the Czech version of SSE confirming the existence of a common factor corresponding to stigma. The results showed that the Czech version of SSE has good psychometric properties and can be used in further research and clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Czech Republic
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychometrics*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Social Stigma*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic under Project No. GJ16-02453Y. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.