The Other as Shamer Scale: Validation of an Instrument to Assess External Shame

Introduction. The Other as Shamer Scale (OAS) is often used to measure external shame, which has been associated with various psychosocial problems. Objective. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the OAS in a general population sample and a sample of the population with symptoms linked to Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Method. Three hundred and forty-one participants completed the OAS and the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to obtain evidence on the construct validity of the scale. Results. The tested model was found to have an adequate fit, as well as adequate concurrent and discriminative validity in relation to the ITQ scores. Discussion and conclusion. The results suggest that the OAS is a valid, reliable instrument for measuring external shame and discriminating between those with and without posttraumatic symptoms.