Validation of the group-based medical mistrust scale among urban black men

Abstract

Background: Socioculturally relevant measures of medical mistrust are needed to better address health disparities, especially among Black men, a group with lower life expectancy and higher death rates compared to other race/gender groups.

Objectives: The study aim was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale (GBMMS) in a Black male sample.

Design: Data were collected as part of a randomized controlled trial testing educational strategies to support Black men's decisions about prostate cancer screening.

Participants: Participants included 201 Black men ages 40-75 years recruited in New York City during 2006-2007.

Main measures: The primary measures included: race-based medical mistrust, health care participation, avoidance of health care, perceived access to health care, health care satisfaction, racial identity, residential racial segregation, attitudes towards prostate cancer screening, and past prostate cancer screening behavior.

Key results: An exploratory factor analysis suggested a three-factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor model. Internal consistency was high for the total GBMMS and the three sub-scales: Suspicion, Discrimination, and Lack of Support. Construct validity was supported by: significant positive correlations between GBMMS and avoidance of health care and racial identity as well as significant negative correlations with health care access, health care satisfaction, and attitudes about prostate cancer screening. ANOVA showed that the GBMMS was associated with greater residential racial segregation. Higher total GBMMS scores were associated with not visiting a physician in the last year and not having a regular physician.

Conclusions: The present findings provide strong additional evidence that the GBMMS is a valid and reliable measure that may be used among urban Black men.