A personal but shared burden: Developing a multiple-group internalized stigma scale (MGISS)

Individuals from different marginalized groups can internalize negative social beliefs about themselves and their groups. However, a scale that allows for direct comparisons of internalized stigma across multiple groups has not yet been developed. This paper presents the development and validation of the Multiple-Group Internalized Stigma Scale (MGISS). Participants were recruited from four stigmatized groups representing the possible combinations of the stigma characteristics of mutability and concealability (i.e., Black or Indigenous, lesbian, gay or bisexual, higher body-weight, and working-class people). Study 1 developed the scale across the four groups and in English- and Spanish-speaking countries (i.e., the UK and Chile, N = 238). Study 2 replicated the results with a larger sample of emerging adults in Chile ( N = 729). The MGISS demonstrated good levels of reliability and validity, with two factors: self-focused and group-focused. Levels of internalized stigma were higher among groups with mutable characteristics and were associated with higher levels of felt stigma and psychological distress. The MGISS provides a valuable tool for research on prejudice and stigma, particularly in studies involving multiple marginalized groups.