European Journal of Health Communication· 2027Q2
Rethinking Stigma Assessment: A Pre-Registered Multi-Group Study on Alternative Item Wordings
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- Q2SCImago
- 2027year
Short summary
Positively rephrased stigma scales reduced desired social distance by a measurable amount, particularly for participants with less prior experience with the stigmatized group, compared to original or semantic differential wordings.
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Key points
- Positively rephrased stigma scales reduced desired social distance compared to original and semantic differential versions.
- The benefit of positively rephrased scales was most pronounced in participants with limited prior experience with the stigmatized group.
- The study used a 3x3 between-subject design with 1,428 participants assessing stigma towards obesity, schizophrenia, and STDs.
- Findings did not unequivocally support hypotheses favoring alternative scale versions overall.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Traditional stigma scales that measure agreement with negative stereotypes have been found to potentially reinforce indicators of stigmatization. This study examines alternative stigma item wordings using a 3 (scale version: original, positively rephrased, semantic differential) × 3 (target stigma: obesity, schizophrenia, sexually transmitted diseases) between-subject design (N = 1,428). Scale versions are evaluated based on their effects on stigma indicators as well as on participants' perceptions regarding quality, clarity, and validity. The findings do not provide unequivocal support for our hypotheses favouring alternative scale versions. Only the positively rephrased versions showed a measurable benefit in reducing desired social distance, primarily among participants with limited prior experience with the stigmatized group. Although further validation is needed, adapting item wordings to emphasize positive language may be a promising approach to reducing stigmatizing effects of measurement. The findings can inform the development of more sensitive and effective tools for assessing public stigma.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. European Journal of Health Communication, 2027 · DOI ↗
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Field: Pharmacy
PharmacyHealth Professions