Validation of the Italian version of the Devaluation Consumers’ Scale and the Devaluation Consumers Families Scale

L. Sideli 1 , A. Mulè 2 , C. La Cascia 1,2 , M.V. Barone 1 , F. Seminerio 1 , C. Sartorio 1 , I. Tarricone 3 , M. Braca 3 , L. Magliano 4 , A. Francomano 1,2 , M. Inguglia 5 , R. D’Agostino 5 , G.Vassallo 5 , D. La Barbera 1,2

1 Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (BioNec), Section of Psychiatry, University of Palermo; 2 University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, Psychiatry Unit, Palermo; 3 Bologna Transcultural Psychosomatic Team, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna; 4 Department of Psychology, University of Naples SUN, Caserta; 5 Department of Mental health, Pathological addictions, and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Palermo, Palermo

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian versions of the Devaluation of Consumers Scale (DCS) and the Devaluation of Consumer Families Scale (DCFS), two short-scales examining public stigma towards people with mental disorders and their relatives.

Methods

The scales were administered to 117 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of affective or non-affective psychoses (ICD 10 criteria F20-29, F30-33). Translation procedures were carried out according to accepted standards. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Convergent validity was evaluated in terms of correlation with the Global Functioning Scale (GAF) and with the Questionnaire on Users’ Opinions (QUO). Known-group validity was assessed comparing patients at first-episode of psychosis and patients with a history of psychosis of at least 3 years (long-term psychosis).

Results

The overall Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.85 for DCS and 0.81 for DCFS; subscales’ alpha values ranged from 0.80 to 0.55 for DCS, and from 0.68 to 0.55 for DCFS. Negative correlations were found between the Italian DCS and the DCFS total score and the QUO affective problems (DCS -0.33; DCFS -0.235) and social distance subscales (DCS -0.290; DCFS -0.356). Moreover, the GAF positively correlated with some of the DCS and DCFS subscales. Patients with long-term psychosis had higher scores in most DCS and DCFS subscales. 

Conclusion

The Italian translation of DCF and DCFS showed good internal consistency, known-group validity, and convergent validity. These psychometric properties support their application in routine clinical practice in Italy as well as their use in international studies.

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