Abstract:

According to the World Health Organization, social stigma in the context of health is a negative association between a person or group of people who share certain characteristics and a certain disease. Pioneering studies reveal that COVİD-19 disease causes fear, anxiety and stigma in humans. It is important to measure the effects of the COVİD-19 pandemic with measurement tools that have good psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to develop the COVİD-19 Stigma Scale to identify the stigma experienced by individuals who previously had COVİD-19. For this purpose, based on the stigmatization dimensions proposed by Earnshaw and Chaudoir (2009) , measurement tools used to measure stigmatization in past pandemics and various diseases were used. A total of 700 people aged 20 and over who had COVİD-19 and who completed COVİD-19 treatment at least one month ago participated in this research. In the analysis of the study, explanatory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and criterion-related validity were performed. As a result of the analyses, a 13-item scale consisting of three dimensions (enacted stigma, anticipated stigma, and internalized stigma) was identified. In addition, criterion validity was supported by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (with depression, r = 0.352 and anxiety, r = 0.299). . The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total items were .85 for the internalising stigma factor it was .84 for the enacted stigma it was .77 finally, for the expected stigma it was .89. Overall, the COVİD-19 Stigma Scale has strong psychometric properties and reliable self-report scale that can be used to evaluate internalized, enacted and anticipated stigmatization in people over 20 years of age who have survived COVİD-19 disease.

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