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. 2017 Jul-Sep;66(3):131-138.
doi: 10.1590/0047-2085000000162.

Validation of the Mental Illness Sexual Stigma Questionnaire (MISS-Q) in a sample of Brazilian adults in psychiatric care

Milton Wainberg  1 , Andrea Norcini Pala  2 , Francine Cournos  1 , Karen McKinnon  3
Affiliations

Validation of the Mental Illness Sexual Stigma Questionnaire (MISS-Q) in a sample of Brazilian adults in psychiatric care

Milton Wainberg et al. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2017 Jul-Sep.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: We evaluated the psychometric properties of a new instrument "Mental Illness Sexual Stigma Questionnaire" (MISS-Q).

Methods: We interviewed 641 sexually active adults (ages 18-80) attending public outpatient psychiatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro about their stigma experiences.

Results: Nine factors were extracted through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and labeled: 'individual discrimination by others'; 'staff willingness to talk about sexuality'; 'staff and family prohibitions'; 'sexual devaluation of self'; 'perceived attractiveness'; 'mental illness concealment'; 'perceived sexual role competence'; 'withdrawal'; and 'locus of social-sexual control'. 'Withdrawal' and 'locus of social-sexual control' showed poor psychometric properties and were excluded from further analysis. The remaining seven factors had high factorial loadings (.39 to .86), varying from sufficient to optimal reliability (Ordinal α ranged from .57 to .88), and good convergent and discriminant validity.

Conclusions: The resulting MISS-Q is the first instrument assessing mental illness sexual stigma with demonstrated psychometric properties. It may prove useful in reducing stigma, protecting sexual health, and promoting recovery.

Objetivo: Avaliamos as propriedades psicométricas de um novo instrumento “Mental Illness Sexual Stigma Questionnaire” (MISS-Q; Questionário de Estigma Sexual na Doença Mental).

Métodos: Entrevistamos 641 adultos sexualmente ativos (18 a 80 anos), frequentando clínicas psiquiátricas ambulatoriais públicas no Rio de Janeiro sobre suas experiências de estigma.

Resultados: Foram extraídos nove fatores por meio da análise exploratória fatorial e rotulados: ‘discriminação individual por parte de outros’; ‘disposição pessoal para falar sobre sexualidade’; proibições pessoais e familiares; ‘desvalorização sexual de si mesmo’; ‘percepção de atratividade’; ‘dissimulação da doença mental’; ‘percepção da competência de papel sexual’; ‘retirada’; e ‘locus de sociosexual ao controle’. ‘Retirada’ e ‘locus de controle social-sexual’ mostraram propriedades psicométricas fracas e foram excluídos da análise posterior. Os sete fatores restantes tinham altas cargas fatoriais (0,39 a 0,86), variando de suficiente até confiabilidade ótima (Ordinal α variou de ,57 a ,88), e boa validade convergente e discriminante.

Conclusões: O resultante MISS-Q é o primeiro instrumento que avalia o estigma sexual da doença mental com propriedades psicométricas demonstradas. Pode ser útil na redução do estigma, proteção da saúde sexual e promoção à recuperação.

Keywords: Stigma; psychometric assessment; severe mental illness; sexual and romantic relationships.

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