Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Substance Abuse Self-Stigma Scale in Patients with Substance Use Disorder

This study aimed to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Substance Abuse Self-Stigma Scale (SASSS) in a group of patients with substance use disorder.

A total of 266 patients with substance use disorder (204 men and 62 women) aged from 18 to 60 were selected using the convenience sampling method and completed the SASSS and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Substance Abuse (AAQ-SA).

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of the SASSS upheld its original four-factor structure. In addition, our results indicated satisfactory test-retest reliability of the SASSS subscales, ranging from .822 to .953. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the SASSS scores and AAQ-SA scores (r = - .54), which provides evidence for the divergent validity of the scale. Finally, the results showed good internal consistency of the SASSS (Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from .753 to .845).

These findings support the Persian version of the SASSS as a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of self-stigma in patients with substance use disorder