Geometric approach to measuring intersectional stigma among black sexual minority men: reliability and validity in an HIV prevention context

Abstract

Background Stigma and discrimination experiences attributable to multiple intersecting facets of the self (e.g. intersectional stigma) pose substantial challenges to accessing health services, including HIV prevention. While there have been theoretical advances in understanding multiple co-occurring stigmas, there are few psychometric instruments available to assess intersectional stigma. We have developed an approach to assessing intersectional stigma that conceptualises an intersection in geometric terms, defined as the line that connects points on two (or more) stigma dimensions and calculates scores derived from the geometric definition of intersecting lines. Methods Following pilot studies to derive items and response formats, we administered newly developed enacted stigma (24-items) and anticipated stigma (17-items) scales with attributions to race and sexual minority status for stigma experiences to a sample of 422 Black sexual minority men at risk for HIV recruited through social media platforms. Results The enacted and anticipated intersectional stigma scales, including subscales representing discrimination, interpersonal and felt stigma demonstrated evidence for reliability and construct validity. The enacted stigma scales were associated with medical mistrust, whereas the anticipated stigma scales predicted perceived barriers to using pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. Conclusions The intersectional stigma scales offer greater specificity in measuring stigma experiences attributed to race, sexual minority status and the intersection of racial–sexual minority status.