German Adaptation and Translation of the Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27): A Pilot Validation Study in a Forensic Context

The Attribution Questionnaire-27 (AQ-27; Corrigan et al., 2003, 2004) is a widely used vignette-based instrument measuring stigma-related attributions toward people with schizophrenia across nine subscales: Blame, Anger, Pity, Help, Dangerousness, Fear, Avoidance, Segregation, and Coercion. The present study reports the first German adaptation and pilot validation of a forensic version of the AQ-27 (AQ-27-F-DE), targeting stigmatizing attitudes toward offenders with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Following a multi-stage translation process including a cognitive pretest (n = 16) and a pilot study (n = 100), the instrument was validated in an experimental online study with a convenience sample of the German general population (N = 152). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using parallel analysis identified a three-factor solution (Threat Perception and Rejection, Compassion and Help, Blame and Anger) accounting for 51% of total variance, which substantially deviates from the theoretical nine-factor structure. Reliability estimates were acceptable to excellent at the subscale level (Cronbach's α = .72–.89; McDonald's ω = .74–.92). Factorial validity could not be established in the present study. Given the first-time application of a German translation in a forensic context, an exploratory approach was warranted; the substantial deviation from the theoretical nine-factor structure and suboptimal model fit further precluded meaningful confirmatory testing of the original model. Implications for future research and methodological recommendations are discussed.