URDU TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION OF SHAME AND STIGMA SCALE FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

This goal of this study is to translate and validate the Shame and stigma scale from English to Urdu, originally developed by Kissane, (2013). The Shame and stigma scale is a crucial instrument for assessing the Shame and stigma among head and neck cancer, The translation process was conducted by the Department of Urdu Studies at the Quaid-i-Azam university Islamabad (QAU), employing both forward and backward translation techniques to ensure linguistic accuracy and conceptual integrity. The translated scale was administered to a sample of 225 H&NC mean 43.33 SD= 11.47, allowing for a robust analysis of its psychometric properties. To confirm the scale's factor structure, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. The CFA results indicated a satisfactory fit for the hypothesized model, confirming that the translated SSS retains its original dimensionality and effectively measures the intended constructs of Shame and stigma. Reliability assessments demonstrated high internal consistency across all factors, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding the acceptable threshold of .94, indicating that the scale is reliable for use in Urdu speaking populations. Additionally, convergent and discriminant validity were established through correlations with established measures of shame and stigma, further supporting the scale's validity. In conclusion, this study successfully translated and validated the for Shame and stigma scale Urdu-speaking populations, providing a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners interested in exploring psycho-oncology dynamics across cultures. Future research should consider employing a dyadic sample to gather data from different hospitals. This approach would provide a more comprehensive and relational perspective on study variables.