Subthreshold psychotic symptom distress, self-stigma, and peer social support among college students with mental health concerns.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this study was to explore the potential moderating effect of social support on the relation between distress caused by psychosis risk symptoms and self-stigma among college students with mental health diagnoses.


METHODS
Participants were young adult college students who endorsed having a past or present mental health diagnosis (n = 63). Self-report data were examined from the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief, a measure of subthreshold psychosis risk symptoms; the Self-Concurrence/Application subscale of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, a measure of self-stigma; and the Friendships subscale of the Lubben Social Network Scale-Revised, a measure of social support from peers.


RESULTS
There was a modest direct relation between distress associated with psychosis risk symptoms and self-stigma. There was a larger relation between distress from risk symptoms and self-stigma for those with low social support compared to those with mean and high social support.


CONCLUSIONS
Although causality cannot be determined based on this study, a strong relation between symptom distress and stigma was found among those reporting low peer social support. Interventions that target both self-stigma and social support might be relevant for young adults with a history of mental health concerns who currently endorse subthreshold psychotic symptoms.
Department of Psychology.
Danielle
D
Denenny
Department of Psychology.
Elizabeth
E
Thompson
Department of Psychology.
Steven C
SC
Pitts
Department of Psychology, Columbia University.
Lisa B
LB
Dixon
Department of Psychology.
Jason
J
Schiffman
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult