Stigma resistance in patients with schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
An individual's capacity to counteract the stigma of mental illness, stigma resistance (SR), is considered as playing a crucial role in fighting stigma. However, little is known about SR and its correlates in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.


OBJECTIVE
Exploring SR in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-seven participants completed the "Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness" (ISMI) Scale including its subscale on SR. Measures of perceived devaluation and discrimination, depression, self-esteem, empowerment, quality of life, and demographic and clinical variables were obtained.


RESULTS
Two-thirds of all patients showed high SR. SR correlated positively with self-esteem, empowerment, and quality of life and negatively with stigma measures and depression. A social network with a sufficient number of friends, being single or married, in contrast to being separated, as well as receiving outpatient treatment, was associated with higher SR.


CONCLUSIONS
SR is a new and promising concept. The development of stigma-resisting beliefs might help individuals in their hope of finding a fulfilling life and in their recovery from mental illness.
Sibitz
Ingrid
I
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna,Vienna, Austria. ingrid.sibitz@meduniwien.ac.at
Unger
Annemarie
A
Woppmann
Andreas
A
Zidek
Thomas
T
Amering
Michaela
M
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support