Psychometric properties of the Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale-Revised in adolescents and young adults

Aim This study aimed to examine the factorial validity and reliability of the Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale (PMHSS) in adolescents and young adults. Methods Young people (N = 963) aged 12 to 25 years (M = 16.1, SD = 3.08) were recruited across two studies. Study 1 included adolescents (n = 776) recruited from secondary schools and study 2 included young adults (n = 187) recruited from universities. All participants completed the PMHSS. Results Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a bi-factorial solution of the PMHSS by retaining 11 items out of the original 16 that loaded on the latent factors of stigma agreement and stigma awareness. Confirmatory factor analysis established the factor structure of the tool in adolescents and young adults. Conclusions This shorter version of the PMHSS remains the only validated tool that measures stigma awareness and stigma agreement in youth. We recommend that this version is used in future research.