Internalized Stigma in People With Mood Disorders: Predictors and Associated Factors

To analyze the predictors of internalized stigma among people with mood disorders, we conducted an analytical observational cross-sectional study with 108 people with mood disorders in a public service setting in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We applied a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, the Medication Adherence Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored, and the Herth Hope Index. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, average comparison tests, a correlation test, and multiple linear regression. Internalized stigma was associated with symptomatology, history of aggressive behavior, psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, hopelessness, nonadherence to psychotropic medications, and unemployment. The predictors of internalized stigma were unemployment, more psychiatric symptoms, history of previous suicide attempts, and less hope. Clinical interventions and investigations for stigma reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation should incorporate the factors associated with self-stigma (aggressive behavior, history of psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, hopelessness, nonadherence to medication, and unemployment).