Translation and Validation of Internalized Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale Urdu Version

The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Internalized stigma of substance abuse scale (ISSA-U). The study was conducted in three phases. In the first phase, forward and backward translation was performed and linguistic equivalence was tested on a sample of 50 bilingual participants. In the second phase, a reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach's alpha and the split-half method, followed by exploratory factor analysis. Phase three included validation of the scale. Convergent validity was estimated by applying the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to a sample of 300 drug addicts. The item correlation results showed a highly significant relationship among the items of the ISSA-U. The Cronbach's alpha index was significantly high (r =.93). Exploratory factor analysis revealed five solution factors with high loading values. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the ISSA Urdu and HDRS, demonstrating convergent validity. The ISSA-U showed sound psychometric properties and proved to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring internalized stigma.