title: Comparison of self-stigma and quality of life in patients with depressive disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders - a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The views of one's self-stigma and quality of life (QoL) in patients with schizophrenia and depressive disorders are significant subjective notions, both being proven to affect patient's functioning in life. The objective of this study was to investigate the QoL and self-stigma in connection with demographic factors and compare the two groups of patients in terms of those variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, the outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and depressive disorders completed the Quality of Life Satisfaction and Enjoyment Questionnaire, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, and a demographic questionnaire during a routine psychiatric control. Furthermore, both patients and their psychiatrists evaluated the severity of the disorder by Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The QoL of patients with depressive disorders or schizophrenia spectrum disorders did not significantly differ between the two groups. In both groups, unemployment was perceived to be a significant factor decreasing the QoL. Self-stigma was detected to be higher in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders than in patients with depressive disorders. A strong correlation was found between the two scales, meaning that those with higher levels of self-stigmatization were less prone to see their life as fulfilling and joyful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the degree of the internalized stigma can be an important aspect linked to the QoL irrespective of the diagnostic category.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holubova
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prasko
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matousek
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Latalova
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Marketa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marackova
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Kristyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vrbova
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc.
authors.forename: Aleš
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grambal
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology Sciences, Faculty of Social Science and Health Care, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Milos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slepecky
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology Sciences, Faculty of Social Science and Health Care, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zatkova
keywords: depressive disorders; quality of life; schizophrenia spectrum disorders; self-stigma