Everyday Discrimination Scale: dimensionality in a Portuguese community sample and specific versions for sexual and gender minority

Abstract

Perceived everyday discrimination is a transversal phenomenon with a negative impact on people’s health. This study aimed to explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of three versions of the Everyday Discrimination Scale, with three different samples: the European Portuguese validation (EDS-PT, considering any reason for discrimination), using a sample of adults from the community (N = 610), a specific version for sexual minority (EDS-SM), with a sample of sexual minority individuals (N = 352), and a specific version for gender minority (EDS-GM), in a sample of gender minority individuals (N = 108). Factor structure and reliability of the different versions were examined. A second-order two-factor model (Everyday discrimination with factor 1 Unfair Treatment and factor 2 Personal Rejection) presented good adjustment and adequate reliability. Furthermore, all versions of EDS revealed weak to moderate correlations with indicators of convergent validity (mental health, satisfaction with life, social safeness, and social support). This study's outcomes provide insights into different types of everyday discrimination and suggest that the EDS-PT, EDS-SM and EDS-GM are valid and reliable measures useful in research and clinical contexts.