title: Characteristics, correlates and outcomes of perceived stigmatization in bipolar disorder patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics, correlates and outcomes of perceived stigmatization in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD).
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline 50 remitted BD patients completed the Stigma Questionnaire (SQ), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-Questionnaire - Short Version (TEMPS-A). The BD patients were followed for 24 months as part of their ongoing treatment. Information on illness course and treatments was obtained at baseline and at follow-up through medical records and interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of perceived stigmatization ranged from 37% to 57% across the areas measured by the SQ. The areas with most perceived stigmatization were work-ability and psychiatric hospitalization. Psychoeducation and affective temperaments emerged as significant independent predictors of perceived stigmatization. Perceived stigmatization was not related to affective recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The follow-up period might have been too short to measure the long-term impact of perceived stigmatization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that BD patients consider issues concerning work-ability and psychiatric hospitalizations to be particularly affected by stigmatization. Psychoeducation and affective temperaments were, furthermore, identified as factors implicated in perceived stigmatization in this population.
authors: Center for Developmental & Applied Psychological Science (CeDAPS), the Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg University, Denmark. Electronic address: kkn@hum.aau.dk.
authors: Kristine Kahr
authors: KK
authors: Nilsson
authors: Aalborg University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors: Pirathiv
authors: P
authors: Kugathasan
authors: Mood Disorders Clinic, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark.
authors: Krista Nielsen
authors: KN
authors: Straarup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D016896:Treatment Outcome