Summary
The preliminary version of Felt Stigma Scale, composed by 42 items, was administrated to 254 HIV positive persons (71.7% women), in 22 self-support groups of the Dominican Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (REDOVIH), through individual interviews. Exploratory factor analysis was performed (Alpha factoring with varimax extraction), extracting 4 factors (personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, self-stigma and extensive stigma), and retaining the items with factor loadings above .50 on at least one of them.
A simple, 18-item scale was obtained, aimed to identify PLWHAs with difficulties in managing felt stigma-related issues. The internal consistency reliability was supported by Coefficient Alpha (0.84), and the evidence for construct validity was provided through significant correlations with related constructs (self-esteem, social support and depression), supporting the use of this scale among the HIV positive persons in the Dominican Republic.