This study aims to translate and adapt the Personal and Perceived Public Stigma Beliefs Scale from the Eurobarometer into Urdu, subsequently modifying and evaluating its psychometric properties among Pakistani adolescents and young adults.
Methods
1328 college students aged 15–24 from Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan participated in this cross-sectional study, using the stigma beliefs scale to measure attitudes toward mental illness.
Results
The Urdu version demonstrated good internal reliability (α = 0.76 for personal and 0.74 for perceived public stigma beliefs). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable indices, with loadings from 0.52 to 0.74 for personal and 0.46 to 0.71 for perceived public stigma beliefs. A significant positive correlation was found between personal and perceived public stigma beliefs and perceived public social distancing and services stigma.
Conclusion
The Urdu version of the modified Stigma Beliefs Scale has reliable psychometric characteristics for evaluating attitudes toward mental illness among Pakistani adolescents and young adults.
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