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A Pilot Study of a Novel Method of Measuring Stigma about Depression Developed for Latinos in the Faith-Based Setting

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Abstract

In order to understand the effects of interventions designed to reduce stigma about mental illness, we need valid measures. However, the validity of commonly used measures is compromised by social desirability bias. The purpose of this pilot study was to test an anonymous method of measuring stigma in the community setting. The method of data collection, Preguntas con Cartas (Questions with Cards) used numbered playing cards to conduct anonymous group polling about stigmatizing beliefs during a mental health literacy intervention. An analysis of the difference between Preguntas con Cartas stigma votes and corresponding face-to-face individual survey results for the same seven stigma questions indicated that there was a statistically significant differences in the distributions between the two methods of data collection (χ2 = 8.27, p = 0.016). This exploratory study has shown the potential effectiveness of Preguntas con Cartas as a novel method of measuring stigma in the community-based setting.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Dr. Dennis Carmody for his statistical support and methodological advice. For their enthusiastic support and dedication to their communities, I’d like to thank, Rev. Luis Espinosa, Ft. George Church, Glendaly Santos, Elder, Ft. George Church, Digna Carvajal, Elder Ft. George Church,, Rev. Luisa Martinez, Primera Metodista, Carolyn Cordero, Primera Metodista, Jorge Lockward, Global Health Ministries, United Methodist Church, Sacred Heart Church, Fanny Twohig, Sacred Heart Church and Sister Patricia Pora, Director of Hispanic pastoral outreach for the Diocese of Portland, Maine. Sacred Heart Church.

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  1. School of Nursing, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, 228 Ackerson Hall, 180 University Avenue, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA

    Susan Caplan

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Caplan, S. A Pilot Study of a Novel Method of Measuring Stigma about Depression Developed for Latinos in the Faith-Based Setting. Community Ment Health J 52, 701–709 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0005-7

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