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Testing the Validity and Reliability of the Shame Questionnaire among Sexually Abused Girls in Zambia

Author

Listed:
  • Lynn T M Michalopoulos
  • Laura K Murray
  • Jeremy C Kane
  • Stephanie Skavenski van Wyk
  • Elwyn Chomba
  • Judith Cohen
  • Mwiya Imasiku
  • Katherine Semrau
  • Jay Unick
  • Paul A Bolton

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to test the validity and reliability of the Shame Questionnaire among traumatized girls in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: The Shame Questionnaire was validated through both classical test and item response theory methods. Internal reliability, criterion validity and construct validity were examined among a sample of 325 female children living in Zambia. Sub-analyses were conducted to examine differences in construct validity among girls who reported sexual abuse and girls who did not. Results: All girls in the sample were sexually abused, but only 61.5% endorsed or reported that sexual abuse had occurred. Internal consistency was very good among the sample with alpha = .87. Criterion validity was demonstrated through a significant difference of mean Shame Questionnaire scores between girls who experienced 0–1 trauma events and more than one traumatic event, with higher mean Shame Questionnaire scores among girls who had more than one traumatic event (p = .004 for 0–1 compared to 2 and 3 events and p = .016 for 0–1 compared to 4+ events). Girls who reported a history of witnessing or experiencing physical abuse had a significantly higher mean Shame Questionnaire score than girls who did not report a history of witnessing or experiencing physical abuse (p

Suggested Citation

  • Lynn T M Michalopoulos & Laura K Murray & Jeremy C Kane & Stephanie Skavenski van Wyk & Elwyn Chomba & Judith Cohen & Mwiya Imasiku & Katherine Semrau & Jay Unick & Paul A Bolton, 2015. "Testing the Validity and Reliability of the Shame Questionnaire among Sexually Abused Girls in Zambia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0123820
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123820
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Budden, Ashwin, 2009. "The role of shame in posttraumatic stress disorder: A proposal for a socio-emotional model for DSM-V," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(7), pages 1032-1039, October.
    2. Meursing, Karla & Vos, Theo & Coutinho, Odette & Moyo, Michael & Mpofu, Sipho & Oneko, Olola & Mundy, Verity & Dube, Simukai & Mahlangu, Thembeni & Sibindi, Flora, 1995. "Child sexual abuse in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 41(12), pages 1693-1704, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos & Melissa Meinhart & Sam Monroe Barton & Jillian Kuhn & Miriam N. Mukasa & Flavia Namuwonge & Candice Feiring & Fred M. Ssewamala, 2019. "Adaptation and Validation of the Shame Questionnaire Among Ugandan Youth Living with HIV," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(3), pages 1023-1042, June.

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