The relationship between stigma and subjective quality of life in psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

People with psychosis are reported to be one of the most stigmatised minority groups in society. Mental health stigma can have a detrimental impact on quality of life (QoL), which is a meaningful outcome for service users experiencing psychosis and using mental health services. This paper provides the first systematic literature review, meta-analysis and quality appraisal of studies examining the association between stigma and subjective QoL in non-affective psychosis. An electronic database search identified 45 articles for inclusion. A random-effects meta-analysis of 37 independent samples (n = 5795) found a statistically significant association between higher stigma and lower subjective QoL of medium strength (r = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.45, -0.35). Separate meta-analyses demonstrated medium-to-large negative pooled effects for self-stigma (k = 25, r = -0.44, 95% CI:-0.49, -0.38), perceived stigma (k = 10, r = -0.32, 95% CI:-0.42, -0.21) and experienced stigma (k = 6, r = -0.30, 95% CI:-0.35, -0.24). A narrative summary of 12 studies suggested psychological mechanisms relating to self-concept and social networks may play an important mediating role in the association between stigma and QoL in psychosis. Psychological interventions should target improvements in these psychological processes to reduce the negative impact of stigma on QoL in psychosis. Further longitudinal research is needed to test theoretical models of causal pathways and explanatory mechanisms.