Italian Validation of the Internalized Shame Scale for adolescents: Factor Structure and Construct Validity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-5337Keywords:
Adolescence, Anti-mattering, Clinical Psychology, Internalized shame, Internalized Shame Scale, Psychometric validationAbstract
Background. Internalized shame represents a pervasive, identity-based form of self-devaluation rooted in relational experiences and associated with significant psychological distress. Despite its clinical relevance, adolescent-focused validations remain limited.
Objective. The current research aimed at evaluating the factorial structure, reliability, and validity of the Internalized Shame Scale (ISS) in an Italian adolescent sample.
Method. A sequential validation design was employed using two independent samples. In Phase 1, 774 adolescents (13–19 years) have been involved, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine its latent structure. In Phase 2, the resulting model was tested in an independent sample of 762 adolescents (13–20 years) through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent, divergent, and concurrent validity were examined through associations with shame proneness, anti-mattering, perceived social support, and psychological distress.
Results. The EFA supported a 24-item two-factor solution, composed by two strongly correlated dimensions: Inadequate, reflecting chronic self-devaluation and perceived defectiveness, and Overwhelmed, capturing affective overload, emptiness, and fragmentation. Both factors showed excellent internal consistency (α = .94). CFA supported the two-factor second-order model, with Internalized Shame loading significantly on both first-order factors and showing excellent reliability (α = .96). Convergent validity was demonstrated through strong positive associations with shame proneness and anti-mattering. Divergent validity was supported by weak or nonsignificant correlations with perceived social support. Concurrent validity was confirmed by a robust predictive effect of internalized shame on general psychological distress, accounting for a substantial proportion of variance.
Conclusions. These findings support the ISS as a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing internalized shame in youth. The validated ISS offers a valuable tool for research, prevention, and clinical practice, facilitating early identification of shame-based self-schemas that may underlie vulnerability to internalizing psychopathology during adolescence.
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