The relationships between sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical variables with personal-stigma in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background. Studies suggest that people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are one of the most stigmatized groups in society.

Aim. To comprehensively analyze personal stigma in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Method. Data were obtained from 89 patients. Patients were evaluated with the following scales: a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Discrimination and Stigma Scale, the Self-perception of Stigma Questionnaire for People with Schizophrenia, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, and the Brief Social Functioning Scale.

Results. Relations between personal stigma and sociodemographic and psychosocial variables were poor. However, clinical variables correlated with different facets of personal stigma. Personal stigma subscales´ correlations were between experienced stigma, anticipated stigma, and self-stigma to each other. 29.5% of the experienced stigma subscale variance was explained by age of onset and level of depression. 20.1% of the anticipated stigma subscale variance was explained by level of depression and gender. 27.3% of the overcoming stigma subscale variance was explained by level of depression and positive and negative psychotic symptoms. 35.8% of the self-stigma scale variance was explained by the level of depression.

Conclusions. Addressing stigma within treatment seems of crucial importance since all stigma facets seem to be highly related to clinical dimensions, especially depression Therefore, including strategies to reduce stigma in care programs may help patients with schizophrenia to better adjust in life and improve their illness process.