Development and Psychometric Analysis of an Instrument to Assess Social Stigma Associated with Parkinson's Disease

Authors

• Ana Lourdes Guerra-Anzaldo, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezFollow
• Arturo Emmanuel Espinosa-Picos, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez; Universidad de SonoraFollow
• Karen Itzel Sánchez-Ramírez, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez; Universidad Autónoma de SinaloaFollow
• Ana Jimena Hernández-Medrano, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezFollow
• Amin Cervantes-Arriaga, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezFollow
• Ariadna Domínguez-García, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezFollow
• Mayela Rodríguez-Violante, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco SuárezFollow

Publication Date

5-12-2026

Keywords

Parkinson’s disease, social stigma, self-assessment, quality of life, public opinion

Abstract

Purpose: To develop and report the psychometric properties of a comprehensive scale designed to measure stereotypes and attitudes of the general population towards people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP).

Methods: The development and analysis of the Parkinson's Disease Stigma Perception scale (PDSP) included four phases: 1) literature review, 2) item development, 3) tests of validity and reliability, and 4) dissemination of a preliminary version. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore underlying structures, and confirmatory factor analysis to test the model's fit.

Results: Six (2%) of the 294 survey respondents were disqualified because of incomplete data. The mean age was 38.3 ± 15.9 years, 70.1% were women, and mean education was 16.5 ± 3.37 years. EFA identified three factors with eigenvalues > 1 (social avoidance and negative attitudes, prejudice and discrimination, and stereotypes). A root mean square error of approximation of 0.07 indicated acceptable fit, while a comparative fit index of 0.90 suggested adequate fit. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald’s omega yielded 0.74 and 0.83, respectively, with low floor effects (2.4%) and no ceiling effect. Item-total correlations ranged from 0.30 to 0.60 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The PDSP demonstrated reliability and validity in assessing stigmatizing attitudes towards PwP. Future studies can further explore the scale's impact and its applicability across various contexts.

Recommended Citation

Guerra-Anzaldo AL, Espinosa-Picos AE, Sánchez-Ramírez KI, et al. Development and psychometric analysis of an instrument to assess social stigma associated with Parkinson's disease. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2026;13:88-97.