Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatments can pose significant psychosocial challenges for survivors, including feelings of shame and stigma, which can worsen quality of life and survivorship. We aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Chilean Spanish version of the shame and stigma scale on a sample of head and neck cancer survivors.

Methods: The SSS is a 20-item self-administered questionnaire that assesses shame and stigma associated with HNC. A cross-sectional, descriptive, psychometric validation study was conducted in a private non-profit cancer centre in Santiago de Chile.

Participants were over 18 years of age who finished active treatment for HNC at any stage, were fluent in Spanish and were cognitively able to participate. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed following the model of the original scale.

Results: A total of 120 HNC survivors participated in the study (39% women). The median age was 63 years.

The reliability analysis yielded a value of alpha = 0.92 (IC = 0.89–0.94), leading to the removal of one item to optimise internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis using the robust weighted least squares estimator with a one-factor structure yielded a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.984, a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.098, a Standardised Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) of 0.112 and a Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) of 0.982. The four-factor model showed improved fit indices, with CFI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.089 and TLI = 0.996, suggesting that the four-factor structure provides a better representation of the data under estimation.

Conclusion: SSS-Sp is psychometrically valid for use in a Spanish-speaking population, yielding high reliability and internal consistency. Exploring and measuring stigma and shame should be routinely performed with this population to ensure the correct management of these sources of distress.