Stigma resistance is positively associated with psychiatric and psychosocial outcomes: A meta-analysis.
To better understand how stigma resistance impacts functioning-related domains, we examined mean effect sizes between stigma resistance and: 1) symptoms (overall, positive, negative, and mood symptoms); 2) self-stigma; 3) self-efficacy; 4) quality of life; 5) recovery; 6) hope; 7) insight, and 8) overall outcomes (the average effect size across the constructs examined in each study). The mean effect size between stigma resistance and overall outcomes was significant and positive (r=0.46, p<0.001, k=48). A large, negative effect size was found between stigma resistance and self-stigma (r=-0.57, p<0.001, k=40). Large, positive effect sizes were found with self-efficacy (r=0.60, p<0.001, k=25), quality of life (r=0.51, p<0.001, k=17), hope (r=0.54, p<0.001, k=8), and recovery (r=0.60, p<0.001, k=7). Stigma resistance had a significant medium and small relationship with insight and symptoms, respectively. Race significantly moderated overall outcomes, self-stigma, mood symptoms, functioning, and hope associations. Education significantly moderated symptoms, functioning, and mood symptoms associations, and age significantly moderated self-stigma and negative symptom associations. Stigma resistance may be a key requirement for recovery. Individual characteristics influence resisting stigma and future work should prioritize cultural factors surrounding stigma resistance.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Electronic address: rfirmin@iupui.edu.
Ruth L
RL
Firmin
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Lauren
L
Luther
Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana University School of Medicine, IN, USA.
Paul H
PH
Lysaker
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Kyle S
KS
Minor
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Michelle P
MP
Salyers
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D057545:Social Stigma; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Meta-analysis; Outcomes; Recovery; Stigma; Stigma resistance