Confirmatory factor analysis of a myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome stigma scale (2018) Termann et al.

[Cheshire]

Julia M Terman, Jessica M Awsumb, Joseph Cotler, Leonard A Jason

This study adapted a chronic illness stigma scale and explored its psychometric properties. The main purposes were to confirm the factor structure of the instrument with this population and address the previous factor intercorrelation discrepancies. Five hundred and fifty-four individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome completed the adapted stigma scale. Results document the stigma experienced by an international sample of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Factors demonstrated good internal consistency, and a model fit was found in a confirmatory factor analysis. Participants endorsed high levels of stigma, estrangement, and disclosure. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359105318796906

 

[Dolphin]

Stigmatization is a process in which individuals are the recipients of negative attitudes and discrimination due to attributes that set them apart and mark them as inferior according to people engaged in stigmatization (Crabtree et al., 2010).

 

[Dolphin]

It is important for research to explore the perceived stigma of ME and CFS, since people tend to internalize perceived stigma in the form of self-stigma, which has implications for social and health outcomes (Jennings et al., 2015; Lannin et al., 2016).

 

[Dolphin]

Research has shown that stigma decreases helpseeking and serves as a risk factor for negative well-being, depression, and suicidality (Clement et al., 2015; Hutton et al., 2013; Looper and Kirmayer, 2004; Sehlo and Bahlas, 2013).

 

[Dolphin]

Patients with ME and CFS who perceive stigma associated with their illness are more likely to experience depression and suicidal ideation (McManimen et al., 2018).

 

[Dolphin]

Invisible illnesses with unexplained causes are stigmatized more than other medical illnesses (Looper and Kirmayer, 2004), and the present results support stigma-related experiences for patients with ME and CFS.

 

[Dolphin]

Declining social support may contribute to the high level of estrangement among people with ME and CFS, as patients often feel isolated as a result of social rejection and low energy for relationships (Dickson et al., 2007).

 

[Dolphin]

In addition to estrangement, a majority of participants with ME and CFS reported that others attribute their illness to psychological problems. The complicated nature of ME and CFS symptom profiles, case definitions, and lack of known etiology may contribute to a belief that this illness is attributed to the individual’s mental state. Other conditions often attributed to the mental state, such as drug addiction, are also subject to stigma (Corrigan et al., 2009). Individuals with such conditions are often blamed for causing their illness (Åsbring and Närvänen, 2002; Corrigan et al., 2009), suggesting they could simply overcome their condition if they were mentally strong enough. This belief system may negatively impact health outcomes for these stigmatized individuals.

 

[Tom Kindlon]

 

[Tom Kindlon]