Development and Evaluation of the Atheist Identity Concealment Scale (AICS)

The Atheist Identity Concealment Scale (AICS) was developed as a tool to assess the degree to which atheists conceal their atheist identity from others. Drawing on concealable stigmatized identity (CSI) theory, the aim of this study was to provide researchers with a valid means to effectively assess atheist identity concealment. Using three separate samples of more than 500 adults in the USA, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted which ultimately resulted in a short, robust measure comprised of eight items. Additional validity evidence was provided by examining the relationship between the AICS and several previously validated tools (i.e., outness, nonreligiosity, depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem).

Automated summary

The study developed the Atheist Identity Concealment Scale (AICS) to assess the degree to which atheists hide their identity from others, providing researchers with a valid means to effectively measure atheist identity concealment. The scale, comprised of eight items, was validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on three samples of over 500 adults in the USA, and its validity was further supported by examining its relationship with various established tools.