Link Stigma Scale (Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale)

The Link Stigma Scale, also called the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale, is a measure of perceived stigma developed by Bruce G. Link in 1987. It assesses the extent to which individuals with serious mental illness perceive that society devalues people with mental illness and discriminates against them. Unlike internalized stigma (self-directed negative beliefs), the Link Scale captures perceived external stigma—beliefs about how others view and treat people with mental illness. The scale is widely used in stigma research and mental health services to understand stigma as a social and structural phenomenon.