Validation of the Brazilian Version of the ISMI Scale Adapted for Substance Dependents

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to validate the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale – ISMI adapted for substance dependents in Brazil. The research was conducted with a sample of 299 substance dependents. In this sample, the scale had a reliability coefficient alpha of .83 and a coefficient Spearman-Brown of .76. The construct validity, estimated by Exploratory Maximum Likelihood Factor Analysis, showed a statistically significant correlation (p<0.01) between ISMI and CES-D (r=.47), Herth Hope Scale (r=-.19), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r=-0.48). The Brazilian version of ISMI showed satisfactory psychometric properties in the studied sample and promises to be a useful tool to measure internalized stigma among substance dependents.