Stigma and discrimination toward mental illness: translation and validation of the Italian version of the Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27-I).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to translate the Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27) to the Italian language (AQ-27-I), and to examine the reliability and validity of this new Italian version.

METHODS: The questionnaire was translated using the standard translation/back-translation method. Cronbach's alpha and intraclass coefficients were used to estimate instrument reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to corroborate the original English version factor structure in the new measure, and to establish validity. Path analyses were meant to validate relationships found in the English version among Italian-speaking participants.

RESULTS: The AQ-27-I demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82 for the total scale and ranging between 0.52 and 0.91 for the subscales. The test-retest reliability was also satisfactory, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.72 for the total scale and ranging between 0.51 and 0.89 for the subscales. Fit indices of the model supported the factor structure and paths.

CONCLUSIONS: The AQ-27-I is a reliable measure to assess stigmatizing attitudes in Italian.