Measuring research mistrust in adolescents and adults: Validity and reliability of an adapted version of the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245783
• Publication Date: 2021-01-22T22:34:44Z
• Authors: Amelia S. Knopf; Peter Krombach; Amy J. Katz; Rebecca Baker; Gregory Zimet
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Psychometrics; Science; Q; Racial Groups; R; Reproducibility of Results; Trust; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medicine; Humans; Female; Factor Analysis, Statistical; 10. No inequality; Delivery of Health Care; Research Article

Mistrust of health care providers among persons color is a significant barrier to engaging them in research studies. Underrepresentation particularly problematic when the problem under study disproportionately affects minoritized communities. The purpose this was test validity and reliability an abbreviated adapted version Group Based Medical Scale. GBMMS 12-item scale with three subscales that assess suspicion, experiences discrimination, lack support setting. To adapt for use setting, we shortened six items, replaced “health workers” care” “medical researchers” research,” respectively. Using panelists from market firm, recruited enrolled racially ethnically diverse sample American adults (N = 365) adolescents aged 14–17 250). We administered web-based survey. used Cronbach’s alpha evaluate measure internal external factor analysis relationships between revised items. Five items loaded onto single factor, (α 0.917) 0.912) adults. Mean scores each item ranged 2.5–2.9, mean summary score (range 6–25) 13.3 13.1 adolescents. Among adults, Black respondents had significantly higher compared whites those other racia/ethnic groups (p<0.001). There trend toward significance as white racial/ethnic (p 0.09). This five-item modified reliable valid measuring mistrust racial ethnic identities.