Psychometric validation of the multidimensional disclosure to health care providers scale (MD-HCPS)

Jamison, Jorja

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16017 Copy

Description

Title

Psychometric validation of the multidimensional disclosure to health care providers scale (MD-HCPS)

Author(s)

Jamison, Jorja

Issue Date

2010-05-19T18:32:04Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Buki, Lydia P.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Buki, Lydia P.

Committee Member(s)

• Oswald, Ramona F.
• Chang, Hua-Hua
• Brashers, Dale E.

Department of Study

Educational Psychology

Discipline

Educational Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• gay
• lesbian
• health care
• disclosure
• scale

Abstract

A substantial body of research has identified many health disparities in the gay and lesbian populations, along with a myriad of physical, social, and institutional factors that influence these disparities. The sexual orientation disclosure interaction is a critical component of the health care visit for lesbians and gay men that may significantly explain and predict engagement in the system, and ultimately, may contribute to these health disparities. However, the construct of disclosure has been poorly defined and measured by health care researchers. The purpose of this study was to further develop the preliminary Multidimensional Disclosure to Health Care Providers Scale (MD-HCPS) to assess gay men and women’s experiences disclosing sexual orientation to health care providers. Data were gathered from 667 participants across the U.S. using online survey methodology. Based on item analyses and exploratory factor analyses, the number of items was reduced from 119 to 62 in five subscales. Further, twelve factors were identified within the five subscales (Disclosure Attitudes and Beliefs, Initiation of Disclosure, Disclosure Communication, Positive Acknowledgment of Disclosure, and Negative Acknowledgment of Disclosure). Results also provided empirical evidence for the theoretical model on which the scale is based. Coefficient alphas for the factors ranged from .43 to .91. Five of the twelve factors had adequate reliability (.80 or greater). The remaining factors need further revision to increase their reliability. Despite its limitations, this measure has great potential to further our understanding of the influence of disclosure on health seeking behaviors of gay men and lesbians. This, in turn, can help to improve the quality of life of gay and lesbian individuals, a population that has traditionally been neglected in the literature.

Graduation Semester

2010-5

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16017

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2010 Jorja Jamison

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