The Effect of Internalized Stigma on the Self Esteem in Patients with Schizophrenia

This study has been conducted to determine the relationship between internalized stigma and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia.

This study was conducted using 60 patients with schizophrenia who were diagnosed as schizophrenic according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria in the psychiatric clinics of hospitals in Erzurum. The data were collected using the "Questionnaire on Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale" (ISMI) that determines the socio-demographic characteristics of patients, and the "Short Form of Self-Esteem Scale" (SF-SES).

The mean Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale score was high; the mean of the positive dimension of the self-esteem scale score was lower than negative dimension. A negative significant relationship was found (r=-.758, p<0.01) between the ISMI and SF-SES when we examined the relationship between the mean scores of self-esteem and internalized stigma levels of the patients. There is a significantly positive relationship between the mean scores of the stigma resistance and SERS-SF (r=.339, p<0.01).

The findings show that the patients' self-esteem decreases with the increasing levels of internalized stigma. In particular, the high level of accepting stereotyped judgments and the low stigma resistance can be associated with low self-esteem. Based on these results, increasing psychoeducation and counseling services for patients with schizophrenia, and increasing the public awareness of this issue are recommended. Advanced quantitative studies should be conducted to determine the factors related to fighting stigma.