Self-stigma and coping in youth with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a comparative study

Abstract

BackgroundSelf-stigma develops when people with mental disorders start to accept and apply the stigma that the wider public has towards these disorders. People suffering from mental disorders are one of the most groups prone to stigmatization others, making them more likely to experience internalized stigma. Studies done in Europe found that people with schizophrenia had greater internalized stigma than those with mood disorders. Self-stigma has been linked negatively to the individual’s self-esteem, coping, and other outcomes. The aim of this research was to compare young patients with bipolar disorder to those with schizophrenia as regards self-stigma and various coping mechanisms. Additionally, this study sought to evaluate the association between coping mechanisms and self-stigma in young people with schizophrenia and those with bipolar disorder. The ISMI scale and the BRIEF-COPE inventory were used to assess self-stigma and coping strategies respectively.ResultsThe mean ISMI total score was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group than in the bipolar disorder group (p < 0.001). The latter group showed a statistically significant higher mean total adaptive score than the schizophrenia group (p = 0.03). A significant positive correlation was found between the total maladaptive score of the BRIEF-COPE inventory and the ISMI scale total score (p < 0.001) in both groups.ConclusionsYouth with schizophrenia experience more self-stigma than those with bipolar disorder, with the former using more maladaptive coping styles. Self-stigma is strongly linked to maladaptive coping in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.