Validation of the Malay Version of the Shame and Stigma Scale among Cancer Patients in Malaysia

Authors : Zheng Zhang, Nizuwan Azman, Hui Ting Eyu, Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar, Hajar Mohd Salleh Sahimi, Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus, Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff, Rohayu Hami, Nor Shuhada Mansor, Ping Lu, Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah

Title of Publication : Validation of the Malay Version of the Shame and Stigma Scale among Cancer Patients in Malaysia

Journal Name : International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Quartile : Q1

Impact Factor : 4.614

Link : https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14266

Description :

The assessment of stigma among cancer patients is of the utmost importance as stigma may lead to various psychological sequelae and a lower quality of life. This study aimed to translate the English version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS) into Malay and validate the Malay version of the SSS (SSS-M) to assess the degree of stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia. Initially, the concurrent translation and back translation of the SSS-M were performed, and the face and content validity were assessed. Subsequently, the SSS-M was administered to a total of 234 patients with mixed types of cancer to assess its reliability (internal consistency and test–retest reliability), construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity), and conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The SSS-M total score registered a good internal consistency (a Cronbach’s ? of 0.881) and test–retest reliability (an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.876, p < 0.001). The EFA and CFA confirmed that the SSS-M consisted of 16 items in 3 domains. Its convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. Hence, the SSS-M demonstrated good psychometric properties and is available for use to assess stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia.