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Internalized Mental Illness Stigma is Linked to Suicidality in Rural Indian Adults with Depression or Anxiety and Chronic Physical Illness

  • 0Division of Prevention Sciences, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry +

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September 30, 2024

|

September 30, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Internalized mental illness stigma is common in rural India and significantly increases suicide risk. Reducing this stigma is crucial for mental health treatment and preventing suicidality.

Area Of Science

  • Mental Health Research
  • Public Health
  • Sociology of Health

Background

  • Mental illness (MI) stigma is a global issue, particularly in India, with rising rates of suicide.
  • Internalized MI stigma occurs when individuals with mental illness adopt negative societal stereotypes.
  • This study focuses on rural Indian adults with chronic medical conditions and co-occurring depression/anxiety.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To determine the prevalence of internalized mental illness stigma in a large rural Indian sample.
  • To identify factors associated with internalized mental illness stigma.
  • To examine the relationship between internalized stigma and suicidality.

Main Methods

  • Face-to-face interviews were conducted with adults experiencing depression/anxiety and chronic physical illness.
  • Data collected included demographics, social support, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and internalized stigma.
  • Statistical analyses involved linear and hierarchical logistic regression.

Main Results

  • A significant proportion (29.1%) reported high internalized stigma; 10.4% reported moderate to high suicidality.
  • Increased internalized stigma (1-point increase on ISMI scale) more than tripled the odds of suicidality (AOR 3.24).
  • Depression/anxiety increased suicidality risk (AOR 2.4), while social support decreased it (AOR 0.44).

Conclusions

  • Internalized mental illness stigma and suicidality are prevalent among rural Indian adults with mild-to-moderate anxiety/depression.
  • Higher levels of stigma independently predicted increased suicidality.
  • Mental health interventions must incorporate strategies to reduce internalized stigma.

Keywords:

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