Consideraciones metodológicas en el estudio de la discriminación laboral percibida y su asociación con la salud de los trabajadores y resultados ocupacionales: revisión panorámica / Methodological considerations in the study of perceived discrimination at work and its association with workers health and occupational outcomes: a scoping review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La discriminación laboral percibida es un fenómeno complejo que implica un trato injusto en el lugar de trabajo, basado en características personales como edad, etnia, género o discapacidad. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar cómo ha sido investigada la discriminación laboral percibida, en el contexto de investigaciones acerca de su asociación con salud y resultados ocupacionales. MÉTODOS: Siguiendo la guía PRISMA-ScR y la metodología del Instituto Joanna Briggs, se realizó una revisión panorámica de artículos publicados entre los años 2000 y 2022 en bases de datos como PubMed, Scopus y PsycInfo. Los criterios de inclusión se centraron en estudios que exploraron la discriminación laboral percibida en trabajadores, excluyendo aquellos en pacientes, estudiantes o población general, y artículos no escritos en inglés o español. RESULTADOS: De los 9871 artículos identificados, 102 cumplieron con los criterios y fueron analizados. La investigación mostró un aumento progresivo en el estudio de la discriminación laboral percibida, con una mayoría de estudios en América del Norte y Europa y un predominio de diseños transversales. La mayoría no definió claramente el concepto de discriminación laboral percibida ni reportó las características psicométricas de los instrumentos de medición. Se encontró una asociación significativa entre la discriminación percibida y resultados negativos en la salud mental y física de los trabajadores, así como un impacto negativo en la satisfacción laboral y un aumento en el ausentismo. Además, las características sociodemográficas como raza/etnia, género y edad influyeron en la percepción de discriminación. CONCLUSIONES: Esta revisión confirma que la discriminación laboral percibida impacta considerablemente la salud y satisfacción laboral de los trabajadores, afectando más a minorías y mujeres. A pesar de un incremento en su investigación en las últimas dos décadas, persiste una carencia de consistencia en la definición y medición del fenómeno. La mayoría de los estudios han utilizado diseños transversales, y se observa una notable ausencia de investigaciones en el contexto latinoamericano.

INTRODUCTION: Perceived workplace discrimination is a complex phenomenon involving unfair treatment in the workplace based on personal characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gender, or disability. The objective of this study is to explore the association of perceived workplace discrimination with health and occupational outcomes. METHODS: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, a scoping review of articles published between 2000 and 2022 was conducted in databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, and PsyInfo. Inclusion criteria focused on studies exploring perceived workplace discrimination among workers, excluding those on patients, students, or the general population, and articles not written in English or Spanish. RESULTS: Of the 9,871 articles identified, 102 met the criteria and were analyzed. Research showed a progressive increase in the study of perceived workplace discrimination, with a majority of studies in North America and Europe and a predominance of cross-sectional designs. Most studies did not clearly define the concept of perceived workplace discrimination nor report the psychometric characteristics of the measurement instruments. A significant association was found between perceived discrimination and negative outcomes in workers' mental and physical health, as well as a negative impact on job satisfaction and an increase in absenteeism. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender, and age influenced the perception of discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: This review confirms that perceived workplace discrimination significantly impacts the health and job satisfaction of workers, with particular detriment in minorities and women. Despite an increase in research over the last two decades, there remains a lack of consistency in the definition and measurement of the phenomenon. Most studies have used cross-sectional designs, and there is a notable absence of research in the Latin American context.

Factorial invariance of the abridged version of the Explicit Discrimination Scale among adults living in southern Brazil / Invariância fatorial da versão abreviada da Escala de Discriminação Explícita em adultos do sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective The Explicit Discrimination Scale (EDS) was developed to assess experiences with discrimination in Brazilian epidemiologic surveys. Though previous analyses have demonstrated that the EDS has good configural, metric, and scalar properties, its invariance has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the factorial invariance of two abridged versions of the EDS, according to skin color/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and their intersections. Methods: Data from the EpiFloripa Adult Study were used, which include a representative sample of adults residing in a state capital of southern Brazil (n=1,187). Over half of the respondents were women, and around 90% identified as white; the mean age of the participants was 39 years. Two abridged versions of the EDS were analyzed, with seven and eight items, using Multigroup Confirmatory Analysis and the Alignment method. Results: The two versions of the scale may be used to provide estimates of discrimination that are comparable across skin color/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and their intersections. In the seven-item version of the scale, only one parameter lacked invariance (i.e., threshold of item i13 - called by names you do not like), specifically among black respondents with less than 12 years of formal education. Conclusion: The EDS may provide researchers with valid, reliable, and comparable estimates of discrimination between different segments of the population, including those at the intersections of skin color/ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status. However, future research is needed to determine whether the patterns we identified here are consistent in other population domains.

RESUMO Objective A Escala de Discriminação Explícita (EDE) foi desenvolvida para avaliar experiências com discriminação em inquéritos epidemiológicos no Brasil. Embora análises prévias tenham revelado boas propriedades configurais, métricas e escalares do instrumento, nenhum estudo examinou sua invariância. Este trabalho objetivou examinar a invariância fatorial de duas versões abreviadas da EDE, considerando cor/raça, sexo, posição socioeconômica e suas intersecções. Métodos: Utilizaram-se dados do Estudo EpiFloripa Adulto, que encerra uma amostra representativa de residentes de uma capital do sul do Brasil (n=1.187). Cerca de 57% da amostra foi constituída por mulheres e 90% dos entrevistados se declararam brancos; a média de idade dos participantes foi de 39 anos. Duas versões abreviadas da EDE, com sete e oito itens, foram examinadas por meio de Análises Fatoriais Confirmatórias Multigrupo e o método Alignment. Resultados: As duas versões da escala produziram estimativas comparáveis de discriminação entre grupos definidos por cor/raça, sexo, posição socioeconômica e suas intersecções. Na versão reduzida de sete itens, apenas um parâmetro apresentou violação de invariância (limiar do item i13; i.e., chamado por nomes que não gosta), especificamente no grupo de respondentes negros com menos de 12 anos de escolaridade. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que a EDE é capaz de produzir estimativas de discriminação válidas, confiáveis e comparáveis entre diversos segmentos da população, incluindo aqueles situados na intersecção de cor/raça, sexo e posição socioeconômica. Contudo, pesquisas futuras são necessárias para verificar se os padrões identificados aqui podem ser confirmados em outros domínios populacionais.

Preconceitos e discriminação na capoeira: a voz de uma Mestra / Prejudices and discrimination in capoeira: an experience report / Prejuicios y discriminación en la capoeira: un relato de experiencia

Neste relato de experiência apresentamos algumas sínteses reflexivas acerca de preconceitos e discriminação na capoeira a partir de experiências pedagógicas vividas pela mestra Tatiana, do Grupo Capoeira Luanda, de Goiânia-GO. Se práticas preconceituosas e discriminatórias ainda estão muito presentes em nossa sociedade, o enfrentamento destas requer a adoção de estratégias articuladas que levem em consideração suas configurações históricas e contextuais. Além disso, é fundamental a adoção de políticas públicas intersetoriais e programas permanentes de formação e capacitação que contemplem o respeito à diversidade em todos os âmbitos das relações sociais e o esclarecimento histórico-crítico acerca dos fundamentos que alicerçam e geram diversas formas de preconceitose discriminações.

In this experience report we present some reflective syntheses about prejudices and discrimination in capoeira based on pedagogical experiences lived by master Tatiana, from Grupo Capoeira Luanda, from Goiânia-GO. If prejudiced and discriminatory practices are still very present in our society, confronting them requires the adoption of articulated strategies that take into account their historical and contextual configurations. Furthermore, it is essential to adopt intersectoral public policies and permanent training and qualification programs that include respect for diversity in all areas of social relations and historical-critical clarification regarding the foundations that underpin and generate various forms of prejudice and discrimination.

En este relato de experiencia presentamos algunas síntesis reflexivas sobre prejuicios y discriminación en la capoeira a partir de experiencias pedagógicas vividas por la maestra Tatiana, del Grupo Capoeira Luanda, de Goiânia-GO. Si las prácticas prejuiciosas y discriminatorias siguen muy presentes en nuestra sociedad, enfrentarlas requiere la adopción de estrategias articuladas que tengan en cuenta sus configuraciones históricas y contextuales. Además, es fundamental adoptar políticas públicas intersectoriales y programas permanentes de formación y calificación que incluyan el respeto a la diversidad en todos los ámbitos de las relaciones sociales y el esclarecimiento histórico-crítico respecto de los fundamentos que sustentan y generan diversas formas de prejuicios y discriminaciones.

Consideraciones metodológicas en el estudio de la discriminación laboral percibida: protocolo de una revisión panorámica / Methodological considerations in the study of perceived discrimination at work: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCCIÓN: La discriminación percibida es un fenómeno complejo de estudiar y que tiene grandes repercusiones en la salud de las personas. En el ámbito laboral, existe un gran número de estudios que confirma los efectos negativos en la salud de los trabajadores, afectando la salud física y psicológica de estos. Sin embargo, no existe un consenso al momento de investigar el constructo "discriminación laboral percibida". OBJETIVO: Explorar como se ha investigado la discriminación laboral percibida, considerando su asociación con salud y resultados ocupacionales. MÉTODOS: Se realizará una revisión panorámica de acuerdo con las guías PRISMA para revisiones panorámicas y del Instituto Joanna Briggs. Se efectuará la búsqueda de los artículos publicados en idioma inglés y español entre los años 2000 y 2022 en las bases de datos Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed y PsycInfo. A través de la aplicación Rayyan, dos revisores realizarán de manera independiente la selección de títulos y resúmenes. Luego, los mismos revisarán los textos completos. Posteriormente, se extraerá la información relevante sobre los artículos seleccionados y se evaluará la calidad metodológica de estos. Finalmente, se hará una síntesis narrativa de los principales resultados encontrados. DISCUSIÓN: Se espera que los hallazgos contribuyan a mejorar los aspectos metodológicos al momento de investigar la discriminación laboral percibida y facilitar la toma de decisiones de aquellos investigadores que deseen abordar la discriminación laboral percibida.

INTRODUCTION: Perceived discrimination is a complex phenomenon of study and has significant repercussions on people's health. Many studies confirm the negative effects of stress on workers' health in the workplace, affecting both their physical and mental health. However, there is no consensus when investigating the construct of "perceived work discrimination". OBJECTIVE: To examine how perceived workplace discrimination has been investigated, considering its association with health and occupational outcomes. METHODS: A scoping review will be performed according to the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will search for published articles in english and spanish between 2000 and 2022 in the Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and PsycInfo databases. Through the Rayyan application, two reviewers will independently select titles and abstracts. Then, they will review the full texts. Subsequently, relevant information about the selected articles will be extracted, and their methodological quality will be evaluated. Finally, a narrative synthesis of the main results found will be made. DISCUSSION: We expect the findings to improve methodological aspects when investigating perceived workplace discrimination, facilitating decision-making for those researchers who wish to address perceived work discrimination.

Discriminación percibida en escolares migrantes en el Norte de Chile / Perceived discrimination in migrant schoolchildren in Northern Chile

Resumen La migración en Chile ha trascendido enormemente, siendo la educación uno de los principales focos de atención en miras de la transformación. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la discriminación percibida por escolares migrantes de la ciudad de Arica al Norte de Chile, analizando además la relación entre esta última y el estrés por aculturación. Participaron 678 estudiantes de ambos sexos entre Cuarto Básico a Cuarto Medio, entre los 8 y 19 años. Se utilizó la Escala de Discriminación en la Vida Cotidiana (eds) y la Escala de fuentes de estrés por aculturación (feac). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la discriminación percibida entre escolares migrantes y no migrantes con una puntuación más alta en los migrantes en todas las edades. Se observa también una relación significativa entre discriminación percibida y estrés por aculturación. Se discuten los resultados y sus implicaciones, para el mejoramiento políticas públicas en el ámbito escolar.

Abstract Migration in Chile has transcended enormously, with education being one of the main focuses of attention in the face of transformation. The aim of this study is to describe the perceived discrimination by migrant school students from the city of Arica in the North of Chile, also analyzing the relationship between the latter and acculturation stress. 678 schoolchildren of both sexes participated between the Fourth grade to senior year at High School, with ages between 8 and 19. The Everyday Discrimination Scale (eds) and the Acculturation Stress Source Scale (feac) were used. Significant differences were found in perceived discrimination between migrant and non-migrant schoolchildren with a higher score among migrants at all ages. There is also a significant relationship between perceived discrimination and acculturation stress. The results and their implications are discussed, for the improvement of public policies in the school environment.

Investigation on perceived discrimination and its influencing factors among people living with HIV/AIDS / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the perceived discrimination and its influencing factors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).Methods PLWHA subjects met the criteria and treated in the Second Hospital of Nanjing were enrolled in this study.Self-designed questionnaire was adapted to investigate PL-WHA subjects for sociodemographic data,and the perceived discrimination was investigated via the the modified HIV stigma scale-revision scale.Results A total of 465 PLWHA subjects were investigated,the average age was (37.22±12.01) years old,and most of them were male (95.1％).50.3％ of the PLWHA subjects were homosexual,24.5％ of them were bisexual/unsure.The average score of perceived discrimination was (81.25±12.69) points,25.2％ (117 cases) of the PLWHA subjects had high level of perceived discrimination (≥88 points),74.8％ (348 cases) of them had low level of perceived discrimination (＜88 points).The multi-ple regression analysis showed that marital status,sexual orientation,social support and self-esteem were influencing factors for perceived discrimination.Conclusion Perceived discrimination commonly exists in PL-WHA subjects,and is influenced by many social and psychological factors.

Dark and Bright Side of Claiming Discrimination: Making Attributions to Prejudice and Social Wellbeing among Immigrants in Spain / Dos Lados de Reclamar la Discriminación: Atribuciones al Prejuicio y Bienestar Social en las Personas Inmigrantes en España

Abstract Research on the consequences of making attributions to prejudice for the psychological functioning of minority groups is still scarce and rather inconsistent. In this study we set out to examine the consequences of making attributions to prejudice in response to social rejection for social wellbeing among immigrants in Spain. We tested this relationship and the mediating effects with representative samples of 1250 foreign-born immigrants who had lived for at least six months in the Basque Country, having been born in Bolivia, Colombia, Morocco, Romania, or Sub-Saharan African countries. The sample was drawn from public records and obtained through a probability sampling procedure by ethnicity with stratification by age and sex. We conducted mediation analyses using structural equation modeling (SEM) to verify whether the perceived ethnic discrimination effect on the five dimensions of social wellbeing was partially or completely explained by the attributions to prejudice. Our results indeed partially revealed that making attributions to prejudice protect social wellbeing form negative consequences of personal discrimination only in the dimension of social contribution. In turn, attributions to prejudice explained the negative relationship between perceived discrimination, and social acceptance and social actualization: that is, those dimensions of social wellbeing that reflect social trust. We discuss the results integrating social identity, social stigma, and positive psychology framework, through the inclusion of societal aspects of wellbeing for measuring immigrants' adaptation in the host society.

Resumen La investigación sobre las consecuencias de hacer atribuciones al prejuicio en el funcionamiento psicológico de los grupos minoritarios sigue siendo escasa y bastante inconsistente. En este estudio nos propusimos examinar las consecuencias de hacer atribuciones al prejuicio en respuesta al rechazo social para el bienestar social de las personas inmigrantes en España. Comprobamos nuestras predicciones en una muestra representativa de 1250 personas inmigrantes nacidas en el extranjero que habían vivido por lo menos seis meses en el País Vasco, habiendo nacido en Bolivia, Colombia, Marruecos, Rumania o países del África subsahariana. La muestra se extrajo de registros públicos y se obtuvo mediante un procedimiento de muestreo probabilístico por etnia con estratificación por edad y sexo. Se realizaron análisis de mediación, utilizando el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) para verificar si el efecto percibido de discriminación étnica sobre las cinco dimensiones del bienestar social fue parcial o completamente explicado por las atribuciones al prejuicio. Nuestros resultados revelaron que las atribuciones al prejuicio en parte protegen el bienestar social, teniendo consecuencias negativas la discriminación personal sólo la dimensión de la contribución social. A su vez, las atribuciones al prejuicio explicaron la relación negativa entre discriminación percibida y aceptación social y actualización social: es decir, estas dimensiones del bienestar social que reflejan la confianza social. Discutimos los resultados en el marco de las teorías de la identidad social, el estigma social y de la psicología positiva, a través de la inclusión de los aspectos sociales del bienestar para medir la adaptación de los inmigrantes en la sociedad de acogida.

The association between perceived discriminations and well-being in Korean employed workers: the 4th Korean working conditions survey

BACKGROUND: Around the globe, discrimination has emerged as a social issue requiring serious consideration. From the perspective of public health, the impact of discrimination on the health of affected individuals is a subject of great importance. On the other hand, subjective well-being is a key indicator of an individual's physical, mental, and social health. The present study aims to analyze the relationship between Korean employed workers' subjective health and their exposure to perceived discrimination. METHODS: The Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS, 2014) was conducted on a representative sample of the economically active population aged 15 years or older, who were either employees or self-employed at the time of interview. After removing inconsistent data, 32,984 employed workers were examined in this study. The data included general and occupational characteristics, perceived discrimination, and well-being. Well-being was measured through the WHO-Five index (1998 version). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between perceived discrimination and well-being. RESULT: As a group, employed workers who were exposed to discrimination had a significantly higher likelihood of “poor well-being” than their counterparts who were not exposed to discrimination. More specifically, the workers exposed to age discrimination had an odds ratio(OR) of 1.51 (95% CI: 1.36–1.68), workers exposed to discrimination based on educational attainment had an OR of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.26–1.61), and workers exposed to discrimination based on employment type had an OR of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.48–1.91) with respect to poor well-being. Furthermore, workers exposed to a greater number of discriminatory incidents were also at a higher risk of “poor well-being” than their counterparts who were exposed to fewer such incidents. More specifically, the workers with three exposures to discrimination had an OR of 2.60 (95% CI: 1.92–3.53), the workers with two such exposures had an OR of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.44–1.99), and the workers with one such exposure had an OR of 1.32 (95% CI: 1.20–1.45). CONCLUSION: The present study found that discrimination based on age, educational attainment, or employment type put workers at a higher risk of “poor well-being,” and that the greater the exposure to discrimination, the higher the risk of poor well-being.

La relación entre la discriminación percibida y el balance afectivo en personas con discapacidad física: el papel mediador del dominio del entorno / The relationship between perceived discrimination and affective balance on people with physical disabilities: the mediating role of environmental mastery / A relação entre a discriminação percebida e o balanço afetivo em pessoas com deficiência física: o papel mediador do dominio do ambiente

Numerosas investigaciones ponen de manifiesto que la discriminación percibida tiene un efecto negativo importante en la salud física y mental de las personas pertenecientes a diversos grupos estigmatizados. El objetivo del presente estudio es investigar la relación entre la discriminación percibida y el balance entre emociones positivas y negativas en personas con discapacidad física. Asimismo, se analiza el papel mediador de una variable especialmente relevante en relación con las personas con discapacidad física, el dominio del entorno (Ryff, 1989a), como factor protector de la influencia negativa de la discriminación. En el estudio participaron 52 personas con discapacidad física. Los resultados mostraron que la relación negativa entre la discriminación percibida y el balance afectivo se reduce significativamente al introducir el dominio del entorno en la ecuación. Asimismo, se encontró que la edad de los participantes está positivamente relacionada, tanto con el balance afectivo, como con el dominio del entorno. Esta investigación demuestra que en la medida en que las personas con discapacidad física se sienten con la habilidad personal de elegir o crear entornos favorables, los efectos negativos del estigma disminuyen.

There is a large body of research showing that perceived discrimination has a negative effect on physical and mental health of persons belonging to different stigmatized groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived discrimination and affective balance in people with physical disabilities. In addition, the mediating role of a special relevant variable -the environmental mastery (Ryff, 1989a) - is analyzed in relation to people with physical disabilities as a protective factor against negative discrimination. Participants in the study were 52 people with physical disabilities. Results showed that the negative relationship between perceived discrimination and affective balance is significantly reduced by introducing environmental mastery into the equation. It was also found that the age of the participants shows a positive association both with affective balance and environmental mastery. This research shows that to the extent that people with physical disabilities feel able to choose or create favorable environments, the negative effects of stigma are reduced.

Numerosas pesquisas põem em evidência que a discriminação percebida tem um efeito negativo grande na saúde física e mental das pessoas pertencentes a diversos grupos estigmatizados. O objetivo do presente estudo é pesquisar a relação entre a discriminação percebida e o balanço entre emoções positivas e negativas em pessoas com deficiência física. Da mesma forma, analisa-se o papel mediador de uma variável especialmente relevante em relação com as pessoas com deficiência física, o domínio do ambiente (Ryff, 1989a), como fator protetor da influência negativa da discriminação. No estudo participaram 52 pessoas com deficiência física. Os resultados mostraram que a relação negativa entre a discriminação percebida e o balanço afetivo se reduz significativamente ao introduzir o domínio do ambiente na equação. Da mesma forma, encontrou-se que a idade dos participantes está positivamente relacionada, tanto com o balanço afetivo, como com o domínio do ambiente. Esta pesquisa demonstra que na medida em que as pessoas com deficiência física sentem-se com a habilidade pessoal de escolher ou criar ambientes favoráveis, os efeitos negativos do estigma diminuem.

Estructura, correlatos y predictores del estrés por aculturación: El caso de personas refugiadas colombianas en Costa Rica / Structure, correlates and predictors of acculturation stress: A case study with colombian refugees in Costa Rica

Cien personas refugiadas colombianas completaron un cuestionario que medía el estrés experimentado durante el proceso de adaptación a la sociedad costarricense, las redes de apoyo construidas en Costa Rica, la frecuencia con que se han visto discriminadas y su nivel de salud mental. Los datos muestran que el estrés por aculturación se estructuran en cuatro dimensiones: el estrés experimentado por los preparativos para la salida, el estrés derivado de su condición de refugiados, el estrés experimentado ante las necesidades económicas y el estrés vivido ante los retos de la adaptación cultural a la sociedad costarricense. Los preparativos para la salida del país son los eventos de mayor estrés reportado. La discriminación percibida y los años de residencia en Costa Rica aparecieron como los principales predictores de los tipos de estrés posinmigración, una vez controlados los efectos de la salud y las redes de apoyo.

One hundred colombian refugees completed a questionnaire measuring the level of stress they have experienced during the process of adaptation to the Costa Rican society; the social networks they have built in Costa Rica; the frequency with which they have been discriminated against; and their mental health. Data show four dimensions for acculturative stress: the stress produced by the arrangements to leave Colombia; the stress derived from their status as refugees; the stress derived from their socioeconomic needs; and the stress resulting from coping with the demands of the social and cultural adaptation to the host society. Participants reported significant higher levels of stress when planning the emigration from Colombia. Perceived discrimination and years of residence in Costa Rica were the principal predictors of acculturative stress in Costa Rica, above and below of the effect of other potential predictors, as social networks and mental health.

A Study on the Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (K-ISMI) / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale designed to measure the subjective experience of stigma with sub-scales measuring Alienation, Stereotype Endorsement, Perceived Discrimination, Stigma Resistance, and Social withdrawal. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of ISMI. METHODS: The subjects were 194 schizophrenic patients and 205 peoples with depressive disorder. K-ISMI, CES-D (The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and Self Esteem scale were performed. RESULTS: Results showed that the ISMI had high internal consistence and split-half reliabilities. The internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach alpha) of each subscale ranged from .83 to .93. The validity of the ISMI was investigated by principal axis factoring analysis, yielding 5 factors of alienation, perceived discrimination, negative stereotype, stigma resistance, devaluation and social withdrawal. 5 subscales explained 60.67% of total variance. Concurrent validity was supported by comparisons against scales measuring related constructs. As expected, the ISMI had positive correlations with CES-D, and it had negative correlation with self-esteem scale. Subsidiary analysis showed that schizophrenic patients showed higher internalized stigma than depressed patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings support the utility of ISMI as a tool to evaluate internalized stigma of persons with mental illness. Interventions that can lessen internalized stigma may well hasten the recovery process in individuals with mental illness.