What the study found
A nine-item measure of lifetime discrimination in family planning settings was reduced to seven items and showed strong reliability in a nationally representative sample. The study identified two parts of the measure: general healthcare discrimination and stereotype-based discrimination.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the updated validation supports the scale’s use for studying discrimination in family planning settings and its relationship with healthcare outcomes. They say it may help assess clinic procedures and interventions aimed at promoting equitable access to high-quality reproductive healthcare.
What the researchers tested
The researchers evaluated the psychometric properties of a nine-item discrimination measure developed by Thorburn Bird and Bogart in 2003. They used data from the nationally representative Person-Centered Contraceptive Access Metrics Survey (unweighted N = 3,059), conducted exploratory factor analysis with principal axis extraction and Promax rotation, assessed reliability with coefficient omega, and tested known-groups validity using weighted linear regression.
What worked and what didn't
The analysis identified two factors and retained seven items from the original measure. The measure showed strong reliability (coefficient omega 0.97) and good fit (TLI = 0.988, RMSEA = 0.066). Known-groups validity testing indicated that people of color experienced higher levels of discrimination in family planning settings than white respondents; Black respondents experienced the highest levels, especially stereotype-based discrimination.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the study’s scope and the fact that this was a validation in a nationally representative sample. The measure can assess discrimination, but the abstract does not say it can prevent discrimination on its own.
Key points
- The study validated a discrimination measure for family planning settings using a nationally representative survey sample.
- Seven of the original nine items were retained, and the analysis found two factors: general healthcare discrimination and stereotype-based discrimination.
- The measure showed strong reliability and good model fit.
- People of color reported higher discrimination than white respondents, with Black respondents reporting the highest levels.
- The authors say the scale may help study discrimination, healthcare outcomes, and efforts to improve reproductive healthcare access.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Discrimination measure validated for family planning settings
- Authors:
- Alina A. Luke, Anu Manchikanti Gómez, Bennett Ah, Melvin Livingston, Jessica M. Sales, Sara K. Redd, Whitney S. Rice
- Institutions:
- Emory Healthcare, Emory University, University of California, Berkeley, Reproductive Biology Associates
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-27
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.