title: The Effects of Stigma on Recovery Attitudes in People With Anorexia Nervosa in Intensive Treatment.
abstract: Self-stigma in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) may affect engagement in intensive treatment. The objective of this study was to test a Model of Self-Stigma to identify the influence of public stigma, internalized stigma, self-esteem, and self-efficacy on recovery attitudes in individuals in inpatient treatment for AN. Using a cross-sectional design, 36 female participants with AN completed questionnaires during the first week of intensive inpatient treatment. Better attitude towards recovery was positively correlated with higher self-esteem and self-efficacy and negatively correlated with greater internalized stigma and perceptions of others devaluing families of individuals with AN. Together, these factors accounted for 63% of the variance in recovery attitudes. Findings demonstrate the adverse effects perceived stigma towards families, self-stigma, and self-esteem have on recovery attitudes in individuals with AN. Clinical interventions are needed to challenge internalized stigma and bolster self-esteem to enhance individuals' recovery efforts.
authors.affiliation: *University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work, Calgary, Alberta; †University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work; ‡Hospital for Sick Children, Research; and §University Health Network, Eating Disorders Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dimitropoulos
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McCallum
authors.forename: Marlena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colasanto
authors.forename: Victoria E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Tahany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gadalla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult