The peer mental health stigmatization scale-revised (PMHSS-R): Psychometric properties and cross-cultural factorial invariance in university students in Ireland and Argentina

Introduction

The study aimed to assess the psychometric quality of the Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale – Revised (PMHSS-R), by examining its factorial structure among young adults in Ireland and Argentina.

Method

A total of 429 participants aged between 18 and 25 years old were recruited (n = 187 Ireland, n = 242 Argentina). The PMHSS-R was completed by Irish participants and was translated, pilot-studied, and subsequently completed by Argentinian participants.

Results

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated optimal factor loadings for an eight-item solution and acceptable internal consistency for both scale dimensions in the Argentinian sample. Satisfactory levels of partial scalar invariance were achieved between countries, indicating that the scale measures mental health stigma consistently across cultures.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our findings highlight the PMHSS-R as a cross-culturally valid and reliable psychometric instrument to evaluate interventions targeting stigma. In conclusion, the PMHSS-R can be used in cross-cultural research to compare levels of mental health stigma and investigate the interplay between stigma and other psychologically relevant constructs between different countries and cultural contexts.