Abstract
Objectives
We report on the development of a scale measuring abortion providers’ experiences
of stigma.
Study Design
Using previous measures, qualitative data, and expert review, we created a 49-item
question pool. We administered questions to 315 abortion providers before participation
in the Providers Share Workshop. We explored the factor structure and item quality
using exploratory factor analysis. We assessed reliability using Cronbach's alpha.
To test construct validity, we calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients between
the stigma scales, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the K10 measure of psychological
distress. We used Stata SE/12.0 for analyses.
Results
Factor analysis revealed a 35-item, five-factor model: worries about disclosure, internalized
states, social judgment, social isolation, and discrimination (Cronbach's alphas 0.79–0.94).
Our stigma measure was correlated with psychological distress (r = 0.40; p < .001), and with Maslach Burnout Inventory's emotional exhaustion (r = 0.27; p < .001), and depersonalization (0.23; p < .001) subscales, and was inversely correlated with Maslach Burnout Inventory's
personal accomplishment subscale (r = −0.15; p < .05).
Conclusions
Psychometric analysis of this scale reveals that it is a reliable and valid tool for
measuring stigma in abortion providers, and may be helpful in evaluating stigma reduction
programs.
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Biography
Lisa A. Martin, PhD, is at the University of Michigan, Dearborn, Women's and Gender Studies Program and Department of Health & Human Services. Her research applies an interdisciplinary approach to historical, social, political, and individual-level factors that influence U.S. abortion policies.
Biography
Jane A. Hassinger, MSW, is a researcher at University of Michigan's Institute for Research on Women and Gender. She is a certified psychoanalyst and Clinical Social Worker whose research interests include developing interventions aimed at reducing stigma and improving workplace teams' functioning.
Biography
Meghan Seewald, MA, is at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Her research interests include the experience of stigma among health care providers, with an emphasis in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Biography
Lisa H. Harris, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Studies at University of Michigan (UM) and is trained as a clinical obstetrician-gynecologist and cultural historian. Her research focuses on ethical issues in obstetrics and gynecology.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 10, 2017
Accepted:
October 4,
2017
Received in revised form:
September 22,
2017
Received:
May 12,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.