Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research
Published on: December 15, 2023
Peer-to-peer contact, social support and self-stigma among people with severe mental illness in Hong Kong
Xu-Hong Li1, Tian-Ming Zhang2, Yuen Yum Yau1
1Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Background:
Self-stigma exerts a range of adversities for persons with severe mental illness (SMI), however, little is known about the association between peer contact, social support and self-stigma.
Aims:
This study aimed to explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between peer contact and self-stigma among persons with SMI in Hong Kong.
Methods:
A total of 159 persons with SMI (schizophrenia and mood disorder) in community service centres participated in the study through completing a survey on self-stigma, social functioning, social support, perception of peer contact and mass media. Logistic regression was utilised to explore the influencing factors of self-stigma among the participants.
Results:
The results showed that 81.1% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of self-stigma. Self-stigma was significantly associated with diverse factors (e.g. social functioning). Importantly, positive peer contact was significantly associated with lower self-stigma of persons with SMI. Social support acted as a mediator between peer contact and self-stigma.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that contact-based interventions, such as enhancing positive peer-to-peer contact, should be conducted for reducing self-stigma among persons with SMI.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Need for Self-Esteem

