VALIDATION AND RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL ABORTION STIGMA SCALE: A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY IN ATHLETIC HEALTH

Abstract

Objective: Abortion-related stigma can lead to significant psychological and emotional distress for women, impacting their mental health and social well-being. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Individual-Level Abortion Stigma (ILAS) Scale for the Chinese population, incorporating elements specific to Chinese cultural dynamics, to accurately measure the stigma experienced by women who have undergone abortions. Methods: The ILAS Scale was translated into Chinese following the Brislin translation model to ensure cultural relevance and linguistic accuracy. The Delphi method was utilized for expert consultation to refine the scale items. The study then assessed the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the ILAS Scale through various statistical analyses, including Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine the scale’s structure. Results: The Chinese version of the ILAS Scale demonstrated robust psychometric properties. Cronbach’s alpha for the overall scale was 0.89, indicating high internal consistency. The reliability coefficients for the scale’s four dimensions—external evaluation, loneliness, self-evaluation, and community condemnation—ranged from 0.78 to 0.89. The scale also exhibited satisfactory split-half reliability (0.734) and test-retest reliability (0.809). EFA revealed four factors that explained 63.418% of the variance, supporting the scale’s construct validity. Conclusion: The adapted Chinese version of the ILAS Scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing abortion stigma among Chinese women. Its application extends beyond general healthcare into specialized fields such as sports medicine and athletic health, where understanding the nuanced impacts of societal stigma on women athletes could inform more targeted support and intervention strategies. This scale offers valuable insights for healthcare providers working within these contexts to address and mitigate the effects of abortion stigma on mental health and athletic performance.