Stigma Of Mental Illness Scale Research Articles

What variables predict stigmatizing attitudes toward people with mental disorders and their treatment in Filipinos and Americans?

In the United States, Asian Americans express greater stigma toward those with mental disorders and report lower rates of seeking mental health treatment than do White Americans. However, research on these topics in Filipino cultural groups, especially Filipinos living in the Philippines (i.e., Filipino nationals), is sparse. To support the design of interventions to decrease stigma and improve rates of seeking treatment, we assessed attitudes toward mental disorders and help-seeking in Filipinos. U.S. national (i.e., American) and Filipino national participants completed an online survey containing the Mental Illness Stigma Scale, a Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire measuring attitudes toward seeking treatment, and queries regarding demographic and psychosocial factors. Filipinos expressed significantly more stigma regarding relationship disruption, interpersonal anxiety, and poor hygiene, alongside increased perceived subjective norms opposing seeking treatment and decreased perceived behavioral control over getting treatment if necessary. We ran a linear mixed effects regression on each nationality separately to identify relationships between stigma and psychosocial factors. For Filipinos, increased parental education predicted decreased perceived relationship disruption and interpersonal anxiety; urbanization was associated with greater trust in mental health professionals, and having a close relative with a disorder led to decreased belief in patient recoverability. For Americans, increased participant education predicted decreased interpersonal anxiety, increased perceived recoverability, and improved perceived behavioral control over getting treatment if necessary, and having a close relative with a disorder predicted improved perceived treatability. The results guide programs for decreasing stigma and increasing treatment-seeking behavior. Limitations, future research directions, and possible interventions are discussed.

Comparative Study of Stigma and Its Correlates in Caregivers and Patients of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder

Abstract Objective: Stigma is very common among patients and caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders; however, there is a lack of comparative study data between schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder in the Indian setting. Methods: For this, caregivers of patients with schizophrenia (n = 50) or bipolar affective disorder (n = 50) were assessed on the Affiliate Stigma Scale (ASS). Patients with schizophrenia (n = 50) or bipolar affective disorder (n = 50) were assessed on the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS). Results: Patients and caregivers of patients with schizophrenia have significantly higher mean scores on ISMIS and ASS, respectively, as compared to patients and caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers experience higher stigma than the caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder. Higher stigma is associated with higher psychological morbidity in the patients and caregivers. Therefore, clinicians managing patients with severe mental disorders must focus on stigma and psychological distress among the patients and caregivers and plan intervention strategies to reduce stigma.

A Comparative Study of Internalized Stigma in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder in Remission

Background: Internalized stigma experienced by individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder dramatically affects their overall quality of life. While several studies have explored this topic, there remains a scarcity of research comparing internalized stigma across both these illnesses. We investigated and compared how internalized stigma is associated with different socio-demographic factors among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder in remission. Aim: To carry out a comparative study of the internalized stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder in remission. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 patients with schizophrenia and 53 with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in remission underwent assessment using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results: The study revealed that internalized stigma was significantly more ( p value = .0001) in patients with schizophrenia (84.84 ± 6.02) compared to those with BPAD (78.55 ± 6.07). Further analysis of the ISMIS domains revealed significant correlations between internalized stigma and stereotype endorsement ( p value = .005), stigma resistance ( p value = .009), social withdrawal ( p value = .0001), and alienation ( p value = .0001). Conclusion: The study suggests that individuals with schizophrenia experience higher levels of internalized stigma in comparison to those with BPAD.

Internalized Stigma among Persons with Schizophrenia: A Study from Tertiary Care Center in the Northeastern Part of India

Abstract Background: Stigma relating to mental illness has mostly been studied in communities and families. Less research has been conducted in India to understand the current subjective experience of persons with mental illness in the tertiary care hospital setting in India. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the extent of internalized stigma among persons and to see the association between self-stigma, self-esteem, insight, and adherence. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional design. The present study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam. For the present study, 200 persons with schizophrenia were selected. Participants of this study were persons with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the International Classification of Diseases-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research. Sociodemographic and clinical data sheet, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Morisky Adherence Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 21 version. Results: The findings show that 45% of the participants were having moderate internalized stigma and 21% of the participants were having severe internalized stigma. Self-Esteem Scale (B = −341, t = −2.940, P = 005), medication adherence (B = −701, t = −9.832, P = 000), and insight (B = −711, t = −6.496, P = 000) contributed significantly to the prediction of internalized stigma among persons with schizophrenia (F [3,63] =58.712, P = 000) accounting for 85.8% variance. Conclusion: The findings confirm that self-esteem, medication adherence, and insight contributed significantly to the prediction of internalized stigma among persons with schizophrenia.

Individual stigma in people with severe mental illness: Associations with public stigma, psychological capital, cognitive appraisal and coping orientations

IntroductionThe reason why some people with severe mental illness (SMI) maintain positive self-identity, while some are affected by the stigmatized environment is unclear. AimsTo describe the status of individual stigma and explore the relationship between self-stigma, stigma resistance and related variables in people with SMI. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to March 2022. The Chinese version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and Stigma Resistance Scale were used to assess individual stigma. Perceived public stigma, psychological capital, stigma stress appraisal and coping orientations were also measured by scales. Data was provided by 422 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, from one psychiatric hospital and four community healthcare centers in China. A structural equation model was applied for analysis. ResultsThe total mean scores of self-stigma and stigma resistance were (2.06 ± 0.65), and (3.95 ± 0.84). Perceived public stigma was the primary condition for constructing individual stigma, which indirectly affected self-stigma (β = 0.268) and stigma resistance (β = −0.145). Stigma stress appraisal mediated the transformation of public stigma into individual, which had direct and indirect effects on self-stigma (β = 0.417, 0.166), and an indirect effect on stigma resistance (β = −0.374). Secrecy positively affected self-stigma (β = 0.117), while positive coping positively affected stigma resistance (β = 0.380). Psychological capital significantly directly impacted individual stigma. ConclusionsFindings highlighted how public stigma determines the degree to which patients with SMI deal with stigma stress appraisal, and how this influences individuals. Anti-stigma programs and interventions to improve individuals' psychological capital and coping capabilities should be emphasized.

Mixed-Mode Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for psychological resilience, Self Esteem and Stigma of patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPeople with schizophrenia often face challenges such as lower psychological resilience, reduced self-worth, and increased social stigma, hindering their recovery. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has shown promise in boosting psychological resilience and self-esteem while diminishing stigma. However, MBCT demands professional involvement and substantial expenses, adding to the workload of professionals and the financial strain on patients. Mixed-mode Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (M-MBCT) integrates both “face-to-face” and “self-help” approaches to minimize staff effort and costs. This study aims to assess the impact of M-MBCT on the psychological resilience, self-esteem, and stigma in schizophrenia patients.MethodsThis randomized, controlled, parallel-group, assessor-blinded clinical trial enrolled 174 inpatients with schizophrenia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent an 8-week M-MBCT intervention, while the control group received standard treatment. Data collection employed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) before and after the intervention. Post-intervention, significant differences in ISMI, CD-RISC, and RSES scores were observed between the experimental and control groups.ResultsIn the experimental group, ISMI scores notably decreased, while CD-RISC and RSES scores significantly increased (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis identified age, education, and family history of mental illness as significant factors related to stigma (P < 0.05). Additionally, correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between the reduction in CD-RISC scores and the reduction in ISMI scores (P < 0.05).ConclusionM-MBCT effectively enhanced psychological resilience and self-esteem while diminishing stigma in individuals with schizophrenia. M-MBCT emerges as a promising treatment option for schizophrenia sufferers.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 03/06/2023 (www.chictr.org.cn; ChiCTR ID: ChiCTR2300069071).

Internalized stigma: Social support, coping, psychological distress, and mental well-being among older adults in Ghana.

Older adults have been found to internalize stigma from society and this has been linked to several variables including social support, coping, psychological distress, and mental well-being. However, there is a dearth of research on how these variables interact with each other to impact the life of older adults. This study employed path analysis to explore social support and coping as boundary conditions and underlying mechanisms in the link between internalized stigma, psychological distress, and mental well-being, among older adults in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional design, the study recruited 167 older adults who responded to standardized questionnaires including The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, The Brief Coping Inventory, Kessler Distress Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, to determine levels of internalized stigma, social support, coping strategies, psychological distress, and mental well-being, respectively. The findings revealed that at low levels of social support, there is a significant and positive correlation between internalized stigma and mental well-being (β = -.36, SE = 0.17, p < .001). Path analysis showed that the relationship between internalized stigma and mental well-being was fully mediated by problem-focused coping (β = .11, p = . 001, 95% CI [0.04, 0.21]), but not psychological distress. Problem-focused coping was also found to have a significant positive correlation with mental well-being but no significant correlation with psychological distress. Conversely, avoidant-focused coping was found to have a significant positive correlation with psychological distress and a significant negative correlation with mental well-being. This study revealed the importance of social support and coping to attaining mental well-being among older adults. This study provides insights into the development of tailored interventions aimed at improving social support and problem-focused coping among older Ghanaian adults facing internalized stigma, and it also establishes a base for future research.

Development of stigma scale for women with mental illness in perinatal period, validity and reliability study

AimAlthough there are many scales that measure stigma, there is no scale with the necessary adequacy to measure stigma in the perinatal period. The study aims to develop the stigma scale for women with mental illness in the perinatal period and test its validity and reliability.Materials and methodsParticipants were reached via patients, visitors, and hospital staff who applied to Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between 01/06/2022 and 01/12/2022. Two hundred people (female n = 134, male n = 66) aged 18–65 participated in the study and "Sociodemographic data form," "Perinatal Mental Illness Stigma Scale (PMISS)," "Social Distance Scale," and "Beliefs Towards Mental Illness Scale" were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and the AMOS 26 program.ResultsThe Content Validity Index of the scale items was between 0.80–1. Cronbach's alpha coefficient score of the general scale was 0.94, the "Discrimination and Prejudice" sub-dimension was 0.93, and the "Labeling" sub-dimension was 0.88. It was determined that item-total score correlations varied between 0.410 and 0.799. P value calculated < 0.05 in Barlett's test and 0.94 in the Kaiser-Meyer Olkin test. These values show that factor analysis can be applied to the scale. According to the Exploratory Factor Analysis result, the scale has a 2-factor structure, explaining 60% of the total variance. The Guttman Split-Half coefficient of the scale was 0.882, and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.883. The scale was reapplied to 30 participants with an interval of three weeks. The correlation coefficient between the two measurements was 0.91, indicating that the scale satisfies the invariance principle over time.ConclusionThe PMISS is a reliable measurement tool that can be used to investigate stigma towards mental illness during the perinatal period in the Turkish population.

Examination of internalized stigma, quality of life, and happiness in patients with schizophrenia

Background Happiness in patients with schizophrenia is a neglected concept that needs to be developed. Determining the relationship between internalized stigma, quality of life, and happiness, which is important for the prognosis of schizophrenia, will reveal why it is necessary to focus on activities that will increase happiness in patients with schizophrenia. Aim This study aimed to compare the levels of internalized stigma, quality of life, and happiness in patients with schizophrenia. Methods A descriptive and correlational research design was used. The research population consisted of patients who applied to the psychiatry outpatient clinic of a hospital in eastern Turkey during the research period and were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria; 87 voluntary patients who agreed to participate in the study constituted the research sample. A personal information form, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) were used for data collection. Results According to the patients’ ISMI, WHOQOL-BREF-TR, and SHS scores, patients perceived internalized stigma above the moderate level in all sub-dimensions. In general, their quality of life was moderate (the highest mean score was on the national environment domain and the lowest mean score was on the social domain); the mean SHS score was 13.02 ± 5.53. There was a strong and negative correlation between the mean SHS score and the total ISMI score and a strong and positive correlation between SHS and the physical, mental, social, and national environment domains of WHOQOL-BREF-TR. Conclusions It was determined that the mean internal stigma score of the patients decreased and their mean quality of life score increased as their mean subjective happiness score increased. It is recommended clinical studies be carried out to increase happiness in patients with schizophrenia.

Transcultural Validity of Concept of Internalized Stigma in Patients with Mental Illnesses (Psychometric Properties of Russian Version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale)

INTRODUCTION: One of the commonest methods of evaluation of internalized stigma is Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale where the differences in the prevalence and perception of mental stigma in different cultures are specified.&#x0D; AIM: Validation of Russian version of ISMI scale and evaluation of peculiarities of perception of stigma by Russian-speaking patients with severe psychiatric disorders.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred thirty nine patients with severe psychiatric disorders (F2 and F3 according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision) were examined. The psychometric properties of the Russian version of ISMI scale were evaluated using internal consistency analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA, respectively) were performed. To check age- and gender-related invariance, MIMIC and MIFA models were used, and discriminative power and accuracy of scoring were identified using generalized partial credit model (GPCM). The results of EFA were compared with the data obtained in the Regional Clinical Hospital (n = 120) using independent alternative version of ISMI translation into Russian.&#x0D; RESULTS: The internal consistency of the Russian version of ISMI questionnaire was high: Chronbachs 0.90. EFA permitted to identify 4 factors. The first factor (Demoralization, F1) combined elements corresponding to subscale 1 (Alienation) and subscale 2 (Social withdrawal) of the original version of ISMI questionnaire. The other three factors identified in this study according to the content of the items, corresponded to the remaining subscales of the original ISMI scale. In all kinds of the conducted analysis, item 14 had low factor weight. CFA confirmed the four-factor structure. In the sample, MIMIC and MIFA showed the general age- and gender-related invariance with their insufficient power. GPCM showed good characteristics of discriminative power and difficulties in choice of scoring for all factors except the fourth one (Resistance to stigma). EFA performed on the data of the alternative sample, neither could reliably reproduce the five-factor structure of the original ISMI scale due to eclectic mixing of the items of the original scale within five isolated structures.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: The suitability of using the internalized stigma assessment tool for the Russian-speaking population has been confirmed. The study highlights the relevance and necessity of expanding transcultural studies of psychological reactions of psychiatric patients.

Compensatory Cognitive Training for Psychosocial Outcomes and Self-Stigma in Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Individuals with schizophrenia often experience poor psychosocial outcomes and self-stigma. This study aimed to investigate the effect of compensatory cognitive training (CCT) on self-esteem, self-efficacy, quality of life, and self-stigma in schizophrenia. Forty-six participants with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to intervention (CCT group, n = 24) or treatment as usual (TAU group, n = 22). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 (SQLS-R4), and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) were administered at pretest (T0), posttest (T1), and 1-month follow-up (T2). A significant result was found at T2 in the SQLS-R4 score between CCT and TAU groups ( P = 0.001). A significant result was also noted at T2 in the ISMIS score ( P = 0.004). These findings show that CCT contributes to improvement in quality of life and self-stigma in individuals with schizophrenia. Accordingly, CCT may enhance the effectiveness of psychiatric rehabilitation programs. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(10):473–481.]

Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program on Perceived Stress, Internalized Stigma, and Psychological Well-being in Psychiatric Inpatients

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the perceived stress, internalized stigma, and psychological well-being of psychiatric inpatients. Methods: A non-equivalent control group study with a pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were obtained from the closed wards of a psychiatric hospital in K-city. A total of 45 people were included in this study, 22 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group. The pre, post, and follow-up scores of both the experimental and control groups were obtained using the Korea Perceived Stress Scale, the Korea Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, and the Korea Psychological Well-Being Scale to validate the effectiveness of the program. A 45 minute program was performed twice weekly for three weeks. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress (F=6.92, p=.002) and internalized stigma (F=22.76, p&lt;.001), and a significant improvement in psychological well-being (F=38.34, p&lt;.001) in the experimental group. Conclusion: A mindfulness-based stress reduction program could be implemented as an intervention to reduce perceived stress and internalized stigma and enhance psychological well-being in psychiatric inpatients.

Computational psychiatry approach to stigma subtyping in patients with mental disorders: explicit and implicit internalized stigma.

Psychiatric stigma has potentially controversial effects on patients health-related behaviors. It appears that both stigmatization and motivation in psychiatric patients are heterogeneous and multi-dimensional, and that the relationship between stigma and treatment motivation may be more complex than previously believed. To determine psychiatric stigma subtypes as they relate to treatment motivation among inpatients with various mental disorders. Sixy-three psychiatric inpatients were examined by the Treatment Motivation Assessment Questionnaire (TMAQ) and the Russian version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI). K-Means cluster and dispersion analysis were conducted. Cluster 3 (25 subjects) was the least stigmatized. Cluster 1 (18 subjects) showed an explicit stigma. Cluster 2 (20 subjects) showed an implicit stigma that took the form of the lowest treatment motivation compared to other clusters. Implicitly stigmatized patients, in contrast to explicitly stigmatized individuals, showed a decline in 3 out of 4 TMAQ factors (Mean dif.=1.051.67). Cooperation with doctors, together with reliance on ones own knowledge and skills to cope with the disorder, might be the way to overcome an internalized stigma for patients with mental disorders.

Self-stigma and quality of life among people with psychosis: The protective role of religion.

The quality of life in people with psychosis has been consistently demonstrated to be lower than those without, with self-stigma contributing greatly to this impairment. Hence, it is imperative to address this gap in order to facilitate recovery-oriented and other outcomes. This study investigates the potential of religiosity in moderating the effects of self-stigma on quality of life among those with psychosis. Adults with psychosis (n = 99) were recruited from the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme in Singapore from 2018 to 2021, and administered the self-report Religious Commitment Index, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale, and Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument. Linear regression analyses were conducted and the interaction between self-stigma and religious commitment scores calculated to investigate the moderation effects of religiosity on the relationship between stigma and quality of life. Preliminary regression analyses revealed a significant association between sex and psychological quality of life. After controlling for sex, religiosity was found to moderate the relationship between self-stigma and psychological quality of life. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of religiosity in buffering the effects of self-stigma on quality of life. This reveals an area that can be easily targeted and addressed in treatment programs to improve outcomes beyond the clinical setting among people living with psychosis, to facilitate their recovery journey and beyond.

Effect of an Anti-Stigma Program on Self-Stigma for Chinese Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study With a Quasi-Experimental Design.

The current study explored the effectiveness of an anti-stigma group program for people with schizophrenia. Thirty-four participants recruited from a psychiatric day hospital were allocated to the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Perceived Psychiatric Stigma Scale (PPSS), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used to measure outcomes, which were evaluated at baseline, immediately post program, and 3-month follow up. Generalized estimating equations showed that the EG attained a greater reduction in the stigma resistance subscale of the ISMIS than the CG at posttest and 3-month follow up. Scores on the self-deprecation subscales (p = 0.025) and concerns about marital preclusion (p = 0.037) on the PPSS and BDI-II (p = 0.027) in the EG showed significant improvement over those of the CG at 3-month follow up. The anti-stigma group program seems to be effective in reducing self-stigma and depressive symptoms in people with schizophrenia. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(2), 37-45.].

How to measure mental illness stigma at work: development and validation of the workplace mental illness stigma scale.

The study objective was to design a new theoretically driven multidimensional scale for the use in the empirical measurement of stigmatizing attitudes towards persons with mental illness within the return-to-work process as this integral part of vocational reintegration has been widely neglected by scholars so far. Therefore, we developed and validated a 21-item instrument to comprehensively measure the three-factorial structure of stigmatizing attitudes (affect, cognition, behavior) across two studies (overall N = 251). In both studies the new scale proved to be highly internally consistent, and its proposed three-factor structure was equally supported across the two studies. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated by moderate and high correlations or zero correlations with pertinent measures. Furthermore, construct validity of the new scale was supported by significant positive associations with relevant personality characteristics within stigma research. The WMISS is the first instrument to measure mental health stigma specifically within the return-to-work-process and demonstrates strong psychometric properties. Inclusion of this scale in future research can help facilitate understanding of mental illness stigma within the occupational sector and assist with targeted intervention development.

Relationship between stigma, self-esteem and quality of life among patients with depression at a tertiary care unit of North India: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the debilitating mental illness currently. The stigma attached to this illness and self-esteem of individuals with depression are one of the most important factors which have an impact on the quality of life and issues related to these may impede recovery. The aim of the study was to assess relationship between stigma, self-esteem and quality of life in patients with depression.METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who were diagnosed depression as per ICD-10DCR (F32, F33) were assessed using Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0 version, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale, State Self-esteem Scale, and WHO-Quality of Life-BREF.RESULTS: As per the study, 47% of patients experience severe stigma. Most patients reported higher performance proportion of self-esteem in SSES with a mean score of 16.89±4.46 and reported more effect in environmental aspects of quality of life among all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF with a mean score of 73.56±10.80. Stigma was found to have a statistically significantly negative correlation with self-esteem and quality of life and a positive correlation with the severity of symptoms. Self-esteem positively correlated with quality of life.CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed stigma is higher in patients of depression having more severe symptoms and that self-esteem and the overall quality of life were negatively affected by stigma. Self-esteem was strongly related to the quality of life. Treatment focused on to reduce stigma and improving patients’ self-esteem would boost long term recovery and quality of life. The results of the study therefore suggest the need for measures aimed at reducing stigma, improving patients’ self-esteem and psychological well-being.

The effect of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma and substance abuse proclivity in individuals with substance use disorder

ABSTRACT Objective The study was conducted to determine the effect of mindfulness-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma and substance abuse proclivity in individuals with substance use disorder. Design and Methods The study was carried out as an experimental model with a pretest–posttest control group. The sample used in the study consisted of 100 individuals (50 for control group, 50 for experimental group) via power analysis. The Patient Information Form, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI), and the Substance Abuse Proclivity Scale (SAP) were used to collect the data. An eight-session mindfulness-based psychoeducation program was applied to the experimental group. Findings It was determined that there was a mild decrease in the posttest SAP total mean score and the ISMI subscale and total mean score of the experimental group patients compared to the pretest. The difference between the posttest ISMI and substance abuser proclivity of the control and experimental groups was statistically significant (p < .05). Conclusion It was determined that MB psychoeducation was effective in decreasing internalized stigma and substance abuse proclivity in patients with substance use disorder.

Automatic Thoughts, Self-Stigma, and Resilience Among Schizophrenia Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study aims to clarify the negative psychological state and resilience impairments of schizophrenia (SCZ) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) while evaluating their potential as risk factors. We recruited 143 individuals and divided them into three groups. Participants were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)-24, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)-14, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), Stigma of Mental Illness scale and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Serum biochemical parameters were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The score of ATQ was highest in the MetS group (F = 14.5, p < 0.001), and the total score of CD-RISC, subscale tenacity score and subscale strength score of CD-RISC were lowest in the MetS group (F = 8.54, p < 0.001; F = 5.79, p = 0.004; F = 10.9, p < 0.001). A stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that a negative correlation was observed among the ATQ with employment status, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and CD-RISC (β=-0.190, t=-2.297, p = 0.023; β=-0.278, t=-3.437, p = 0.001; β=-0.238, t=-2.904, p = 0.004). A positive correlation was observed among the ATQ with waist, TG, WBC, and stigma (β=0.271, t = 3.340, p = 0.001; β=0.283, t = 3.509, p = 0.001; β=0.231, t = 2.815, p = 0.006; β=0.251, t=-2.504, p = 0.014). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that among all independent predictors of ATQ, the TG, waist, HDL-C, CD-RISC, and stigma presented excellent specificity at 0.918, 0.852, 0.759, 0.633, and 0.605, respectively. Results suggested that the non-MetS and MetS groups had grievous sense of stigma, particularly, high degree of ATQ and resilience impairment was shown by the MetS group. The TG, waist, HDL-C of metabolic parameters, CD-RISC, and stigma presented excellent specificity to predict ATQ, and the waist showed excellent specificity to predict low resilience level.

Psychological/Personal recovery and its correlates in patients with first episode psychosis.

Recovery in psychosis is a multidimensional construct. The numbers of studies specially focusing on the recovery aspects in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) are limited, with no study from India. Further, no study has looked specifically into the variables that affect recovery process in patients with FEP and little is known about factors which influence recovery in patients with FEP. To evaluate psychological recovery and its correlates in patients with FEP, currently in clinical remission. One hundred three patients of FEP in clinical remission were assessed on Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia, Calgary Depression Rating Scale for Schizophrenia, Negative Symptom Assessment 16, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, the Everyday discrimination Scale, Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia and social cognitive deficits in theory of mind was evaluated on the Social Cognition Rating Tools in Indian Setting-Theory of Mind. The needs of the participants were assessed on the Camberwell Assessment of Needs - Research version and Supplemental Assessment of Needs. Coping, social support, medication adherence were also assessed by standardized scales. The mean weighted score was highest for goal and success orientation subscale followed by seeking and relying on social support, personal confidence and hope, overcome the illness and awareness and control over the illness as assessed by 41 items of the RAS. The main factors identified to affect psychological recovery in patients with FEP were duration of untreated psychosis, greater psychopathology, lower self-esteem, total unmet need, feeling of discrimination and stigmatization. The present study suggests that treatment of FEP should be started at the earliest and issues such as residual psychopathology, lower self-esteem, total unmet need, feeling of discrimination and stigma during the remission phase should be addressed by psychosocial interventions to promote psychological recovery in patients with first episode psychosis.