Cultural adaptation and validation of the stigma of suicide scale–short Form (SOSS-SF) in Kazakh and Russian among the population of Kazakhstan
Kudaibergenova S. Zhamaliyeva L. Seksenbayev N. Muzafarov R. Madaliyeva Z. Abetova A. Bex T.
2025Routledge
Death Studies
2025
Suicide remains a serious public health problem in Kazakhstan, where high suicide rates and limited mental-health resources are exacerbated by strong social stigma. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form (SOSS-SF) in Kazakh and Russian. The adaptation was conducted within a quantitative research design, with culturally sensitive translation and psychometric validation. Following international guidelines, the translated and adapted scale was administered to two adult samples (n = 722, Russian; n = 644, Kazakh). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a stable three-factor structure: Stigmatization, Isolation/Depression, and Glorification/Normalization. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.72–0.88). Cultural differences included the item “an embarrassment” loading onto the Isolation/Depression factor and the exclusion of “dedicated” in the Kazakh version. Both versions demonstrated strong psychometric performance and are the first validated tools for assessing suicide stigma in Kazakhstan.
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Department of General and Applied Psychology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of General Medical Practice, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
Department of International Cooperation and Public Relations, Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Scientific Management and Education, Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Renell Co. LTD, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of General and Applied Psychology
Department of General Medical Practice
Department of Psychiatry and Narcology
Department of International Cooperation and Public Relations
Department of Scientific Management and Education
Renell Co. LTD
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