Correlates of stigma in patients with Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Stigma in mentally ill is considered to be a form of deviance that leads others to judge an individual as not having legitimacy for social participation. Very few studies from India have studied stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia and its correlates. AIM: To evaluate the correlates of stigma in patients with schizophrenia, currently in clinical remission. METHODOLOGY: 160 patients of schizophrenia in clinical remission were assessed on Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Self-report Quality of Life Measure, Demoralization Scale, Positive and Negative scale for schizophrenia, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Everyday discrimination scale, Rosenberg Self esteem Scale, Brief COPE and Brief Dyadic Scale of Expressed Emotions. Appropriate statistical analyses were applied. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 34.99 (SD: 9.13) years. The number of males outnumbered females. Total score on internalzed stigma of mental illness scale had statistically significant correlation with general psychopathology, depression, discrimination, all domains of demoralization, loneliness, quality of life, expressed emotions, self esteem, maladaptive coping and hopelessness. CONCLUSION: There is a need to routinely evaluate the patients of schizophrenia for stigma. Better understanding and identification of correlates may suggest ways to reduce stigma and help prevent its adverse consequences.