title: Self-stigma and its correlates among outpatients with depressive disorders.
abstract: The aims of this study were to assess self-stigma among Taiwanese outpatients with depressive disorders and to examine the factors related to self-stigma. Using the Self-Stigma Assessment Scale, the authors evaluated 247 outpatients with depressive disorders to determine their levels of self-stigma. The relationships between self-stigma and severity of depressive symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, and course of illness were further examined. Sixty-two patients (25 percent) had high levels of self-stigma. Patients who had more severe depression and less education had higher levels of self-stigma. Clinicians should take self-stigma into consideration when communicating with depressed patients, especially those with characteristics associated with high levels of self-stigma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kaoshing Medical University, 100 Tzyou First Road, Kaoshing City, Taiwan 807.
authors.forename: Cheng-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Cheng-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tze-Chun
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Ju-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012649:Self Concept; D013240:Stereotyping; D013624:Taiwan