Is persecution deserved? A study on a non-clinical Italian sample using Persecution and Deservedness Scale (PaDS)

Objectives: To achieve a validation of the Persecution and Deservedness Scale (PaDS) in an Italian convenience sample from general population. To catch the link between paranoia, self-esteem, depressive symptoms and aberrant salience assuming that these constructs could be related to paranoia. Methods: 312 individuals provided complete data on Persecution and Deservedness Scale, The Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen, The Aberrant Salience Inventory, The Self-Esteem Rating Scale. Construct and Concurrent validity were assessed. Results: PaDS subscales were internally reliable and showed correlations with the psychological measures. Conclusions: PaDS is able to measure both severity of persecution and the correlated sense of deservedness. People from general population, experience sub-clinical persecution more probably in relation to some affects of sadness.