title: Stereotype awareness, self-esteem and psychopathology in people with psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stigma is an important environmental risk factor for a variety of outcomes in schizophrenia. In order to understand and remediate its effects, research is required to assess how stigma experiences are processed at the level of the individual. To this end, stereotype awareness (SA) with respect to people with mental illness and their families was explored in persons with psychotic disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Dutch Genetic Risk and OUtcome of Psychosis project (GROUP) were analyzed. SA was measured using scales that assess a respondent's perception of common opinions about people with a mental illness and their families.
  
  
  RESULTS
  People with higher level of self-esteem were less aware of stereotypes about patients and families. People with more severe psychopathology reported more awareness of stereotypes about families, not about patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhancing psychological resources, by increasing self-esteem and the ability to cope with symptoms, can be targeted to diminish stereotype threat and improve stigma resilience. Interventions can be tailored to individual differences to increase their impact. Furthermore, in order to diminish detrimental consequences of negative stereotypes, mental health professionals, health educators and experts by experience can inform the public about mental illness and stigma.
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: van Zelst
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: van Nierop
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands ; Yulius Academy, Yulius, Organisation for Mental Health, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Margreet
authors: M
authors: Oorschot
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Inez
authors: I
authors: Myin-Germeys
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands ; King's College London, King's Health Partners, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: van Os
authors: Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands ; Mondriaan Mental Health Trust, South Limburg, Maastricht/Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Delespaul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011599:Psychopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult