Work

Psychometric properties and validation of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers in Slovenia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Mental health-related stigma among healthcare professionals is a well-documented global concern, contributing to delayed help-seeking, suboptimal treatment adherence, and poorer patient outcomes. In Slovenia, despite growing public and policy efforts to reduce stigma, no validated instrument existed to measure such attitudes among healthcare providers. Objective: We aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC). Methods: A diverse sample of 280 Slovenian healthcare professionals completed the OMS-HC. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were used to assess the structure of the scale, and reliability was examined through model-based indices, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was evaluated using the MICA-4 scale. Results: Initial confirmatory factor analysis indicated relatively poor model fit for the original 15-item, three-factor model. Subsequent exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the use of either a 12- or 14-item version. Both demonstrated strong general factor reliability (OmegaH > 0.69; ECV ≈ 0.60), with the 12-item version offering slightly better model fit, while the 14-item version retained broader conceptual content. Test-retest reliability was good for the total score and good to moderate for the subscales. Moderate positive correlations with the MICA-4 scale confirmed convergent validity. Conclusions: The Slovenian OMS-HC shows good psychometric properties in both its 12- and 14-item formats and is suitable for assessing stigma among healthcare professionals. We recommend the 12-item version for research contexts where parsimony is prioritized, and the 14-item version when broader clinical coverage is needed. Its validation addresses an important methodological gap in Slovenia and provides a reliable tool for stigma monitoring and intervention planning.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1671589

Authors: Dorottya Őri, Ana Mirkovic, Polona Rus Prelog

Institutions: Semmelweis University, Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, University of Ljubljana, University Psychiatric Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health Treatment and Access

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801