Mao-Sheng Ran1, Tian-Ming Zhang1, Irene Yin-Ling Wong2, Xin Yang3, Chang-Cheng Liu4, Bo Liu4, Wei Luo5, Wei-Hong Kuang6, Graham Thornicroft7, Cecilia Lai-Wan Chan1. 1. 1 Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 2. 2 School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3. 3 Guangyuan Mental Health Center, Guangyuan, China. 4. 4 Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, China. 5. 5 Xinjin Mental Hospital, Chengdu, China. 6. 6 Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. 7. 7 Health Service & Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether there are differences in self-stigma among persons with different types of severe mental illness (SMI) in rural communities. AIM: This study was to examine the differences of self-stigma and its correlates in persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in a rural community in China. METHODS: A total of 453 persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in a rural community participated in the study. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) was used to measure self-stigma. The t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the differences in mean scores of ISMI and subscales among the three diagnoses. Logistic regression was used to explore the contributing factors to the level of self-stigma among the three groups. RESULTS: Self-stigma was moderate and severe with 94.7% of the total sample. Persons with schizophrenia had significantly higher mean scores of total ISMI, alienation and discrimination experience than those with bipolar disorders. Lower family income was significantly associated with higher levels of self-stigma in persons with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Factors predicting the level of self-stigma among the three groups were various. CONCLUSION: Self-stigma is common and severe in persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, especially those with lower income status in rural community in China. Persons with schizophrenia may have higher levels of self-stigma than those with bipolar disorder. Individual-level interventions should be developed to reduce self-stigma among persons with SMI in Chinese rural communities.
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether there are differences in self-stigma among persons with different types of severe mental illness (SMI) in rural communities. AIM: This study was to examine the differences of self-stigma and its correlates in persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in a rural community in China. METHODS: A total of 453 persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in a rural community participated in the study. The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) was used to measure self-stigma. The t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the differences in mean scores of ISMI and subscales among the three diagnoses. Logistic regression was used to explore the contributing factors to the level of self-stigma among the three groups. RESULTS: Self-stigma was moderate and severe with 94.7% of the total sample. Persons with schizophrenia had significantly higher mean scores of total ISMI, alienation and discrimination experience than those with bipolar disorders. Lower family income was significantly associated with higher levels of self-stigma in persons with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Factors predicting the level of self-stigma among the three groups were various. CONCLUSION: Self-stigma is common and severe in persons with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, especially those with lower income status in rural community in China. Persons with schizophrenia may have higher levels of self-stigma than those with bipolar disorder. Individual-level interventions should be developed to reduce self-stigma among persons with SMI in Chinese rural communities.
Entities:
Keywords:
Self-stigma; people with severe mental illness; rural China
Authors: Mario Maj; Jim van Os; Marc De Hert; Wolfgang Gaebel; Silvana Galderisi; Michael F Green; Sinan Guloksuz; Philip D Harvey; Peter B Jones; Dolores Malaspina; Patrick McGorry; Jouko Miettunen; Robin M Murray; Keith H Nuechterlein; Victor Peralta; Graham Thornicroft; Ruud van Winkel; Joseph Ventura Journal: World Psychiatry Date: 2021-02 Impact factor: 49.548