Correlates Of Self Research Articles

Social and political correlates of adult and dependent-child COVID-19 vaccination behavior in rural America

ObjectiveThis paper describes the individual-level correlates of self and dependent-child COVID-19 vaccination behavior among adults in rural America. MethodsWe draw on the data from a large-scale survey of rural Americans conducted in 2022, after most Americans had the opportunity to receive the vaccination easily and freely. The survey yielded an analytic sample of 841 adults and 530 adults with dependent children. We fit a series of linear probability models predicting vaccine refusal and full vaccination for adult respondents and vaccine refusal and full vaccine coverage among their dependent children. Predictors of interest include political party, social and economic conservatism, race and ethnicity, age, education, and workplace vaccine requirements. ResultsWe find political party, ideology, education, and work requirements were significant (p <.05) drivers of rural adults’ vaccination behavior, and that the correlates of vaccine refusal and full vaccination largely mirrored one another among adults. For dependent children, few of our focal predictors are associated with vaccination. Politics played a lesser role in children’s vaccination than for adults, and older parents were the least likely to refuse vaccines for their children. Race and ethnicity had inconsistent associations across outcomes and model specifications. ConclusionThis analysis presents important evidence on the drivers of COVID-19 vaccine behaviors among rural American households. Documentation of vaccination behaviors in settings when vaccines are widely available can isolate demand- from supply-side factors and thus inform future public health crises.

Empathy as a selection criterion for medical students: is a valid assessment possible during personal interviews? A mixed-methods study

Places to study at medical schools are scarce, which makes well-designed selection procedures employing criteria with predictive validity for good students and doctors necessary. In Germany, the pre-university grade point average (pu-GPA) is the main selection criterion for medical school application. However, this is criticised. According to a decision by the Federal Constitutional Court, selection must be supplemented with a criterion other than the pu-GPA. Empathy is a core competency in medical care. Therefore, it seems to be an appropriate criterion. This study evaluates the feasibility of an empathy questionnaire and empathy appraisal by a panel for applicant selection. We employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Results of self- and external assessments of empathy were compared in a quantitative analysis. Thereafter, the concept of empathy and the approach to empathy appraisal by the selection panel members were explored qualitatively in six focus groups with 19 selection panel members using a semi-structured guideline. Transcripts were content analysed using both deductive and inductive coding. We found no significant correlation of self- and external empathy assessment (ρ(212) = − .031, p > .05). The results of the focus groups showed that, while panel members judged the external empathy assessment to be useful, they had neither a homogenous concept of empathy nor an implicit basis for this assessment. This diversity in panel members’ concepts of empathy and differences in the concepts underlying the Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index seem to be the main reasons for the lack of correlation between self- and external empathy assessments. While empathy is a possible amendment to established selection criteria for medical education in Germany, its external assessment should not be employed without training panel members based on an established theoretical concept of empathy and an objective self-assessment measure.

Development of the neural correlates of self- and other-referential processing across adolescence

During adolescence, major changes in brain mechanisms take place and differentiated representations of both the self and of others are developed. Although studies have investigated the neural mechanisms of self- and other-referential processing in adolescents, the development of these mechanisms remain largely unaddressed. Here, we report a three-year longitudinal study with annual measurements, and investigate the developmental trajectories of activity and connectivity underlying self- and other-referential processes in 34 participants from early to mid-adolescence (mean age timepoints 1, 2, 3 = 12.9, 13.9, 15.0 years). Moreover, we probe whether these correlates continue to develop from mid-adolescence to young adulthood by comparing neural correlates of the adolescents at the last measurement to an independent group of 42 young adults (mean age 22 years). Participants underwent functional MRI while performing a trait judgement task in which they indicated whether an adjective described themselves, a similar or a dissimilar peer. Brain activity within the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC) and right temporal parietal junction (TPJ) showed a quadratic change from early to mid-adolescence, with a peak in activity at the second measurement when evaluating the self, the similar and dissimilar peer. No differential activity was observed when comparing the adolescents to young adults. Functional connectivity did not change from early to mid-adolescence, however, connectivity of the dMPFC with a posterior midline region during self- and other-referential processing relative to the control condition reduced from mid-adolescence to young adulthood. Together, these findings provide insight in the developmental trajectories of brain activity and connectivity underlying the development of the self-concept and representations of peers in adolescence.

Coupling between prefrontal brain activity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia in infants and adults

Self-regulation is an essential aspect of healthy child development. Even though infants are dependent on their caregivers for co-regulation during the first years, they begin to gain early regulatory abilities through social interactions as well as their own cognitive development. These early regulatory abilities continue to increase with the maturation of both the prefrontal cortex and the vagal system. Importantly, theoretical accounts have suggested that the prefrontal cortex and the vagal system are linked through forward and backward feedback loops via the limbic system. Decreased coupling within this link is suggested to be associated with psychopathology.The primary goal of this study is to examine whether intrapersonal coupling of prefrontal brain activity and respiratory sinus arrythmia is evident in infancy. Using the simultaneous assessment of functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electrocardiography, we will use Cross-Recurrence Quantification Analysis to assess the coupling of prefrontal brain activity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia in 69 4–6-month-old infants and their mothers during rest.Understanding the developmental emergence of the neurobiological correlates of self- regulation will allow us to help identify neurodevelopmental risk factors.

Physical and psychological correlates of self and body compassion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

This international cross-sectional study examined the level and potential correlates of self and body compassion in women (n = 227) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Participants completed an online survey examining quality of life, psychological health, body image and self and body compassion. Low levels of self and body compassion were found, with depression and body image concern identified as negative correlates of self and body compassion. Physical health was identified as a positive correlate of body compassion. The findings identify the important relationship between body image, psychological health and self and body compassion in women with PCOS.

Neural correlates of self- and other-referential processing in young adolescents and the effects of testosterone and peer similarity

During adolescence, self-concept develops profoundly, accompanied by major changes in hormone levels. Self-evaluations become more complex, and peers and their opinions increasingly salient. Neuroimaging studies have investigated self- and other-related processing in adolescents, however, the influence of similarity of peers on these processes is still unclear, as well as functional connectivity underlying such processes. We investigated the effect of peer similarity on neural activity and connectivity underlying self- and other-referential processing, by distinguishing between a similar and dissimilar peer when making other-evaluations. Moreover, we explored the association between testosterone and brain activity during self-evaluations. Sixty-six young adolescents underwent functional MRI while performing a trait judgement task in which they indicated whether an adjective described themselves, a similar or a dissimilar classmate. The ventral medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) showed increased engagement in self-referential processing, and the posterior cingulate cortex and right temporal parietal junction during other-evaluations. However, activity did not differ between the similar and dissimilar other conditions. Functional connectivity of the ventral MPFC included the striatum when evaluating the similar peer and frontoparietal regions when evaluating the dissimilar peer. Furthermore, inter-individual differences in testosterone levels were positively associated with dorsal MPFC activity in males. This study provides insight into the influence of peer similarity on activity and connectivity underlying other-referential processing in young adolescents, and suggests that testosterone affects neural correlates of self-referential processing.

EXISTENTIAL-SENSE PRECONDITIONS OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS OWN APPEARANCE OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS

The article proves the possibility of considering personality’s self-attitude and existential fullness as existential-sense preconditions of attitude to one’s own appearance. The results of the empirical study of self-attitude, existential fullness, their interrelation with the components of the attitude towards own appearance of adolescent girls differing in the level of appearance self-esteem are presented. There are no differences identified in manifestation of existential fullness between the groups of girls differing by appearance self-esteem level. There are differences of self-attitude in the groups of girls with different appearance self -esteem level . The girls with an average appearance self-esteem have appeared to be the least self-assured. The girls with appearance self-esteem level higher than average are characterized by the highest showings of self-assurance and self-affection and the lowest showings of negative self-attitude. The lowest showing of self-affection, the highest showings of the inner proneness to conflict and self-accusation of are characteristic for the girls with appearance self-esteem level lower than average. Analysis of correlation of self - attitude and existential fullness with attitude towards own appearance in the groups of girls differing by appearance self - esteem level , makes it possible to single out correlations which can both promote and prevent from establishment of the stable positive attitude towards own appearance. Major obstacles of such establishment is self-attitude closedness, lack of reflection as for the own qualities and manifestations, proneness to hold one’s ordinary image, overmuch orientation to others’ assessments, increase of concern regarding own appearance while increase of ability to self-transcendence during self-attitude closedness.

A comparison of self and proxy quality of life ratings for people with dementia and their carers: a European prospective cohort study

Objectives: To identify correlates of self-rated and proxy-rated quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia on (i) a dementia-specific and (ii) a capability-wellbeing QoL measure at baseline and 12-month follow-up, and to consider such factors in the context of QoL intervention development.Method: Prospective clinical and demographic data were collected from 451 community-dwelling dyads (mild-moderate dementia) across eight European countries. QoL was measured using the QOL-AD and the ICECAP-O. Multivariate modelling identified correlates of self- and proxy-rated QoL at baseline and at 12-month follow-up.Results: Carer’s proxy-ratings of QoL were significantly lower than self-ratings at all time-points for both measures. Proxy-ratings declined over time, but self-ratings remained stable. Baseline predictors of greater self-rated QoL were education, and greater functional ability and relationship quality. Greater proxy-rated QoL was associated with education and greater functional ability, relationship quality, carer social support and carer QoL, lower carer anxiety/depression and less severe neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia. At follow-up, greater self-rated QoL was predicted by greater functional ability, relationship quality, carer social support and having a spousal carer. Greater proxy-rated QoL at follow-up was associated with the same factors as at baseline; however, the dyad living together was an additional predictive factor.Conclusion: Both proxy-ratings and self-ratings of QoL should be interpreted with caution and in the context of each individual caregiving relationship. Different functional, psychosocial, relational and contextual factors influence self- and proxy-ratings, and both sets of factors should be considered in the context of QoL intervention development for the dyad.

Role of the 5-HT2A Receptor in Self- and Other-Initiated Social Interaction in Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Induced States: A Pharmacological fMRI Study.

Distortions of self-experience are critical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and have detrimental effects on social interactions. In light of the immense need for improved and targeted interventions for social impairments, it is important to better understand the neurochemical substrates of social interaction abilities. We therefore investigated the pharmacological and neural correlates of self- and other-initiated social interaction. In a double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, crossover study 24 healthy human participants (18 males and 6 females) received either (1) placebo + placebo, (2) placebo + lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; 100 μg, p.o.), or (3) ketanserin (40 mg, p.o.) + LSD (100 μg, p.o.) on three different occasions. Participants took part in an interactive task using eye-tracking and functional magnetic resonance imaging completing trials of self- and other-initiated joint and non-joint attention. Results demonstrate first, that LSD reduced activity in brain areas important for self-processing, but also social cognition; second, that change in brain activity was linked to subjective experience; and third, that LSD decreased the efficiency of establishing joint attention. Furthermore, LSD-induced effects were blocked by the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) antagonist ketanserin, indicating that effects of LSD are attributable to 5-HT2AR stimulation. The current results demonstrate that activity in areas of the "social brain" can be modulated via the 5-HT2AR thereby pointing toward this system as a potential target for the treatment of social impairments associated with psychiatric disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Distortions of self-representation and, potentially related to this, dysfunctional social cognition are central hallmarks of various psychiatric disorders and critically impact disease development, progression, treatment, as well as real-world functioning. However, these deficits are insufficiently targeted by current treatment approaches. The administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging and real-time eye-tracking offers the unique opportunity to study alterations in self-experience, their relation to social cognition, and the underlying neuropharmacology. Results demonstrate that LSD alters self-experience as well as basic social cognition processing in areas of the "social brain". Furthermore, these alterations are attributable to 5-HT2A receptor stimulation, thereby pinpointing toward this receptor system in the development of pharmacotherapies for sociocognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders.

Mating system and intrapopulational genetic diversity of Copernicia prunifera (Arecaceae): a native palm from Brazilian semiarid.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mating system and genetic diversity of the palm Copernicia prunifera using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. We found that the C. prunifera has multiple inflorescences with hermaphroditic flowers and pollen viability of 62%. Outcrossing rates at the population level (N = 267) produced a multilocus outcrossing rate (tm) of 0.878 and a single-locus outcrossing rate (ts) of 0.738, indicating that C. prunifera has a mixed mating system that is preferentially allogamous. The rate of mating among relatives (tm - ts) was low, indicating limited outcrossing between closely related individuals. The fixation index between seed trees (F) was negative (0.200), suggesting an absence of inbreeding, while the correlation of selfing (rs) was high (0.914). The values of the diversity indices among adults and progenies did not differ statistically (HE = 0.319 and I = 0.470; HE = 0.337 and I = 0.505, respectively). In testing for the presence of genetic bottlenecks using the infinite allele model and the stepwise mutation model, we observed a reduction in the effective population, as well as a deficit in heterozygosity (P < 0.0001). The results of this study inform management strategies for the conservation and genetic improvement of the C. prunifera palm.

Am I seeing myself, my friend or a stranger? The role of personal familiarity in visual distinction of body identities in the human brain

Several brain regions appear to play a role in representing different body identities. The specific contribution of each of these regions is still unclear, however. Here we investigated which brain areas enable the visual distinction between self and other bodies of different familiarity, and between familiar and unfamiliar other individuals, and moreover, where identity-specific information on the three individuals was encoded. Participants were confronted with standardized headless human body stimuli either showing the participant's own, a personally familiar or an unfamiliar other body, while performing a luminance discrimination task. Employing multivariate pattern analysis, we were able to identify areas that allowed for the distinction of self from personal familiar other bodies within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus. Successful distinction of self from unfamiliar others was possible in the left middle frontal gyrus, the right inferior frontal gyrus, the left pre-supplementary motor area and the right putamen. Personally familiar others could be distinguished from unfamiliar others in the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). An analysis of identity-specific information revealed a spatial gradient ranging from inferior posterior to superior anterior portions of the mPFC that was associated with encoding identity-related information for self via familiar to unfamiliar other bodies, respectively. Furthermore, several midline and frontal regions encoded information on more than one identity. The TPJ's role in deviance detection was underlined, as only identity-specific information on unfamiliar others was encoded here. Together, our findings suggest substantial spatial overlap in neural correlates of self and other body representation and thus, support the hypothesis of a socially-related representation of the self.

Self- and Informant Ratings of Executive Functioning After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

To determine correlates of self- and informant reports on a standardized rating of executive functioning in persons with mild traumatic brain injury. Outpatient clinic at a rehabilitation hospital. One hundred referred persons who met criteria for mild traumatic brain injury (ie, time to follow commands <30 minutes, posttraumatic amnesia <24 hours, and Glasgow Coma Scale score >12). Retrospective case series review. Participants and informants completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) during outpatient neuropsychological evaluations within 30 to 360 days postinjury. Participant and informant BRIEF-A ratings were strongly correlated, but participants rated themselves as worse than informants did. Regression analysis revealed that higher levels of education and presence of intracranial neuroimaging findings were associated with better BRIEF-A ratings whereas worse BRIEF-A ratings were associated with longer time since injury and prior psychiatric treatment. BRIEF-A ratings were not correlated with laboratory measures of executive functioning. Subjective perceptions of executive dysfunction during the first year after mild TBI are driven primarily by premorbid factors and do not reflect acquired cerebral impairment.

Pattern and Correlates of Self Reported Hypertension Among Older Adults in Selected States of India

Background: National surveys on self reported hypertension and its correlates among older adult population in India are limited. Objective: This study explored the self reported prevalence, demographic, socio-economic and behavioral correlates of self reported hypertension in Indian population aged>= 60 years. Method: The study used raw data among older population collected as part of the United Nations Population Fund program on Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India in 2011. Data from 9852 older individuals (mean age 68 years, 47% men) from seven states, (Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal) having a higher percentage of older population were analyzed. Chronic non communicable diseases including hypertension, demographic, socio-economic characteristics and behavioral risk factors were studied. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the correlates of hypertension. Result: Overall 21.1% (95% CI 20.2–21.8) of older adults were hypertensives: men 17.8% women 23.9%. Among them 7% did not report any co-morbidity and the mean number of co-occurring conditions was 2.1. Older adults in higher socio-economic group (OR 3.88; 95% CI 3.22–4.68), women (OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.50–1.87), people having formal schooling (OR 1.36; CI 1.20–1.53) and those in the higher age group (OR 1.35, CI: 1.22–1.50) were more likely to have hypertension compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Hypertension control among older adult should focus on those belonging to higher socioeconomic group, women, those with formal schooling and in the higher age group.

Screening for skin cancer in bank and insurance employees: risk profile and correlation of self and physician's assessment.

Self-assessment and knowledge of individual risk factors can be a reasonable strategy to detect cutaneous malignancies in an early curable stage. Bank and insurance employees were voluntarily screened for skin cancer. They had to fill in a questionnaire asking for their skin and hair color, ultraviolet exposure and tanning ability, number and size of typical and atypical nevi, immunosuppression or chemotherapy, and history of skin cancer. Afterwards dermatologists performed a whole body evaluation, including a total body nevi count, and calculated an individualized risk profile. A total of 1658 employees were evaluated. Most employees underestimated their total number of nevi. There was poor agreement between employees and dermatologists (weighted κ-value=0.03); 45.5% of the employees were judged to be at low risk, 27.3% as intermediate risk, and 27.2% as high risk. Twenty-seven employees (3.7%) with suspicious lesions were transferred to the clinics for further evaluation. Screening for skin cancer in a working population reveals low numbers of suspicious lesions. The focus of mass screenings should be on education and teaching of self-examinations.

The neural correlates of social connection.

Cultivating social connection has long been a goal of psychology, philosophy, religion, and public policy. Yet the psychological and neural responses that accompany a feeling of connection to others remain unclear. In the present study, we used functional neuroimaging to shed light on the neural correlates of self- and other-focused processes during the successful self-generation of feelings of social connection. To do this, we used a trait judgment task to localize functional activation related to self-focused thought. We then examined brain responses during guided exercises designed both to encourage feeling love and connection from others (i.e., self-focused) and to generate feelings of love and connection toward others (i.e., other-focused). Our results indicated that generating feelings of social connection recruited a portion of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) implicated in thinking about both the self and others. Within this larger area, we observed distinct profiles of activation within different subregions. Although rostral anterior cingulate cortex was more strongly activated by other-focused components of the task, a more dorsal portion of MPFC was comparatively more active during primarily self-focused components of the task. Somewhat surprisingly, stronger feelings of social connection were not associated with greater activation in the anterior cingulate, but rather with less activation in the dorsal region of the MPFC related to self-focused thought. These results are consistent with the possibility that reducing certain kinds of self-focused thought might yield a greater sense of social connection to and care for others.

HPA and SAM axis responses as correlates of self- vs parental ratings of anxiety in boys with an Autistic Disorder

Anxiety and Autistic Disorder (AD) are both neurological conditions and both disorders share some features that make it difficult to precisely allocate specific symptoms to each disorder. HPA and SAM axis activities have been conclusively associated with anxiety, and may provide a method of validating anxiety rating scale assessments given by parents and their children with AD about those children. Data from HPA axis (salivary cortisol) and SAM axis (salivary alpha amylase) responses were collected from a sample of 32 high-functioning boys (M age=11yr) with an Autistic Disorder (AD) and were compared with the boys' and their mothers' ratings of the boys' anxiety. There was a significant difference between the self-ratings given by the boys and ratings given about them by their mothers. Further, only the boys' self-ratings of their anxiety significantly predicted the HPA axis responses and neither were significantly related to SAM axis responses. Some boys showed cortisol responses which were similar to that previously reported in children who had suffered chronic and severe anxiety arising from stressful social interactions. As well as suggesting that some boys with an AD can provide valid self-assessments of their anxiety, these data also point to the presence of very high levels of chronic HPA-axis arousal and consequent chronic anxiety in these boys.

Images and constructs: can the neural correlates of self be revealed through radiological analysis?

In this paper I argue that radiological attempts to elucidate the properties of self -- an endeavor currently popular in the social neurosciences -- are fraught with conceptual difficulties. I first discuss several philosophical criteria that increase the chances we are posing the “right” questions to nature. I then discuss whether these criteria are met when empirical efforts are directed at one of the central constructs in the social sciences – the human self. In particular, I consider whether recent attempts to map the neural correlates of self and its assumed properties using brain scanning technology satisfy the conceptual conditions minimally required to ask well-formed, theoretically satisfying questions of nature. I conclude that much theoretical work remains to be done.

Self-disturbances as a possible premorbid indicator of schizophrenia risk: A neurodevelopmental perspective

Self-disturbances (SDs) are increasingly identified in schizophrenia and are theorized to confer vulnerability to psychosis. Neuroimaging research has shed some light on the neural correlates of SDs in schizophrenia. But, the onset and trajectory of the neural alterations underlying SDs in schizophrenia remain incompletely understood. We hypothesize that the aberrant structure and function of brain areas (e.g., prefrontal, lateral temporal, and parietal cortical structures) comprising the “neural circuitry of self” may represent an early, premorbid (i.e., pre-prodromal) indicator of schizophrenia risk. Consistent with neurodevelopmental models, we argue that “early” (i.e., perinatal) dysmaturational processes (e.g., abnormal cortical neural cell migration and mini-columnar formation) affecting key prefrontal (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex), lateral temporal cortical (e.g., superior temporal sulcus), and parietal (e.g., inferior parietal lobule) structures involved in self-processing may lead to subtle disruptions of “self” during childhood in persons at risk for schizophrenia. During adolescence, progressive neurodevelopmental alterations (e.g., aberrant synaptic pruning) affecting the neural circuitry of self may contribute to worsening of SDs. This could result in the emergence of prodromal symptoms and, eventually, full-blown psychosis. To highlight why adolescence may be a period of heightened risk for SDs, we first summarize the literature regarding the neural correlates of self in typically developing children. Next, we present evidence from neuroimaging studies in genetic high-risk youth suggesting that fronto-temporal–parietal structures mediating self-reflection may be abnormal in the premorbid period. Our goal is that the ideas presented here might provide future directions for research into the neurobiology of SDs during the pre-psychosis development of youth at risk for schizophrenia.

Mating system parameters in a high density population of andirobas in the Amazon forest

The objective of this work was to estimate the mating system parameters of a andiroba (Carapa guianensis) population using microsatellite markers and the mixed and correlated mating models. Twelve open‑pollinated progeny arrays of 15 individuals were sampled in an area with C. guianensis estimated density of 25.7 trees per hectare. Overall, the species has a mixed reproductive system, with a predominance of outcrossing. The multilocus outcrossing rate (t m = 0.862) was significantly lower than the unity, indicating that self‑pollination occurred. The rate of biparental inbreeding was substantial (t m ‑ t s = 0.134) and significantly different from zero. The correlation of selfing within progenies was high (r s = 0.635), indicating variation in the individual outcrossing rate. Consistent with this result, the estimate of the individual outcrossing rate ranged from 0.598 to 0.978. The multilocus correlation of paternity was low (r p(m) = 0.081), but significantly different from zero, suggesting that the progenies contain full‑sibs. The coancestry within progenies (Θ = 0.185) was higher and the variance effective size (Ne(v) = 2.7) was lower than expected for true half‑sib progenies (Θ = 0.125; Ne(v) = 4). These results suggest that, in order to maintain a minimum effective size of 150 individuals for breeding, genetic conservation, and environmental reforestation programs, seeds from at least 56 trees must be collected.

Facility based cross-sectional study of self stigma among people with mental illness: towards patient empowerment approach

BackgroundSelf stigma among people with mental illness results from multiple cognitive and environmental factors and processes. It can negatively affect adherence to psychiatric services, self esteem, hope, social integration and quality of life of people with mental illness. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of self stigma and its correlates among people with mental illness at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Psychiatry clinic in southwest Ethiopia.MethodsFacility based cross-sectional study was conducted on 422 consecutive samples of people with mental illness using interviewer administered and pretested internalized stigma of mental illness (ISMI) scale. Data was entered using EPI-DATA and analysis was done using STATA software. Bivariate and multivariate linear regressions were done to identify correlates of self stigma.ResultsOn a scale ranging from 1 to 4, the mean self stigma score was 2.32 (SD = 0.30). Females had higher self stigma (std. β = 0.11, P < 0.05) than males. Patients with a history of traditional treatment had higher self stigma (std. β = 0.11, P < 0.05). There was an inverse relationship between level of education and self-stigma (std. β = −0.17, P < 0.01). Perceived signs (std. β = 0.13, P < 0.05) and supernatural causes of mental illness (std. β = 0.16, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with self stigma. Higher number of drug side effects were positively correlated (std. β = 0.15, P < 0.05) while higher self esteem was negatively correlated (std. β = −0.14, P < 0.01) with self stigma.ConclusionsHigh feeling of inferiority (alienation) but less agreement with common stereotypes (stereotype endorsement) was found. Female showed higher self stigma than male. History of traditional treatment and higher perceived supernatural explanation of mental illness were associated with higher self stigma. Drug side effects and perceived signs of mental illness were correlated with increased self stigma while education and self esteem decreased self stigma among people with mental illness. Patient empowerment psychosocial interventions and strategies to reduce drug side effects can be helpful in reducing self stigma among people with mental illnesses.