Exploring the properties of the Intersectional Discrimination Index — Major in Canadian Veterans with chronic pain

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY In this study, the utility of a new self-report scale to capture experiences of discrimination or violence among a sample of Canadian military Veterans with chronic pain was evaluated. The Intersectional Discrimination Index — Major (InDI-M) was administered through an online survey along with other scales to measure experiences of pain, mood disorder, and functional interference. Results indicate that the InDI-M appears to measure both experiences of interpersonal violence and of systemic inequity, although some problems were identified when using the scale in this sample of predominantly white male Veterans. The InDI-M might be a useful research tool for exploring effects of interpersonal violence on pain and mental health but less so for exploring experiences of systemic inequity in military Veteran health research.