Post-COVID-19 Perceived Stigma-Discrimination Scale: Psychometric Development and Evaluation

The COVID-19 survivors face social stigmatization, even with negative tests. Valid and reliable instruments are required to quantify the stigma-discrimination complex associated with COVID-19 (COVID-19-CED). The study aimed to adapt and evaluate a scale to measure COVID-19-CED in COVID-19 survivors. A validation study was done with 330 COVID-19 survivors between 18 and 89 years. The COVID-19 Perceived Discrimination Scale (C-19-PDS) was used, which was adapted from the Tuberculosis Perceived Discrimination Scale. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, and differential item functioning (DIF) were performed using the classical theory of tests. EFA showed a one-dimensional solution for the items of C-19-PDS; however, CFA showed poor goodness-of-fit indicators. The 5-item version of the C-19-PDS showed better goodness-of-fit indicators, high internal consistency, and non-gender DIF. In conclusion, the 5-item version of the C-19-PDS is one-dimensional, with high internal consistency, and without gender DIF. This instrument is recommended to evaluate COVID-19-CED in the Colombian population.