The effect of services and stigma on quality of life for persons with serious mental illnesses

This study examined the effects of mental health services and stigma on self-concept and quality of life among individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses.

A broad array of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as perceptions of stigma, was assessed among 188 individuals who had been diagnosed as having serious mental illnesses. Quality of life and self-concept (that is, self-esteem and mastery) were also assessed at baseline and follow-up (approximately six months).

Receiving mental health services had an effect on changes in quality of life over time. Specifically, receiving counseling services had a positive influence on quality of life, whereas receiving inpatient services decreased quality of life. Stigma was not significantly associated with changes in quality of life over the study period. Self-esteem and mastery influenced the association between stigma and quality of life but did not influence the relationship between services and quality of life. Finally, although services had little effect on changes in self-concept, perceived stigma significantly reduced both self-esteem and mastery.

The extent to which services influenced quality of life was dependent on the type of service examined. Moreover, although the effects of services were more pronounced with respect to quality of life than self-concept, the opposite was true with respect to the effects of stigma. Efforts should be made to increase access to specific types of services, such as counseling, as well as to reduce negative perceptions of stigma that erode self-image among individuals with serious mental illnesses.