Cognitive insight and causal attribution in the development of self-stigma among individuals with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Stigma has dampening effects on the overall rehabilitation of individuals given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. This study was an initial attempt to understand the relationship between cognitive insight and attribution in the development of self-stigma among this group of mental health consumers.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional design, the investigators interviewed 162 mental health consumers with broad diagnoses of schizophrenia from 15 community-based psychiatric rehabilitation centers in Hong Kong. After controlling for the effects of demographic and illness-related factors, the authors used hierarchical multiple regression analysis to investigate the effects of cognitive insight and causal attribution on self-stigma.


RESULTS
Better cognitive insight and attribution of personal responsibility to the cause of the illness were significantly associated with higher levels of self-stigma.


CONCLUSIONS
Given that awareness and interpretation of participants' illness were related to self-stigma, cognitive restructuring is needed to alleviate self-stigma among individuals with schizophrenia.
Mak
Winnie W S
WW
Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. wwsmak@psy.cuhk.edu.hk
Wu
Crystal F M
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept