PSYCHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY SCALE (IMS) TRANSLATED INTO MACEDONIAN LANGUAGE

Abstract

This study examines the psychometric characteristics of the Internalized Misogyny
Scale (IMS), developed by Piggot in 2004, following its translation into the
Macedonian language. The sample consisted of 441 women aged 18 to 56 (M = 31.2;
SD = 11.7). The data were collected online, with participants taking part voluntarily
and anonymously.
Confirmatory factor analysis identified a moderate model fit. The original
three-component structure was retained with minor deviations, comprising three factors:
Distrust of women, Devaluation of women, and Valuing men over women.
The scale exhibited high internal consistency (α = .89), and item-total correlations
ranged from r = .40 to.72. Convergent validity was supported through correlations
with modern sexism (r(399) = .22,p < .01), self-silencing (r (399) = .23,p < .01), and
feminist identification (r (399) = –.18,p < .01), while discriminant validity was supported
by the absence of a correlation with general self-esteem, contrasted by a negative
association with gender-related self-esteem (r (399) = –.15, p < .01).
These findings offer support for the use of the Macedonian IMS in research
and practice. However, it warrants refinement of the identified critical items to ensure
cross-cultural validity and sensitivity to the evolving social meanings of misogyny.