K T Mueser1,2, N R DeTore1, M A Kredlow3, M L Bourgeois2, D L Penn4, K Hintz1. 1. Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA. 2. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Psychology Department, New York University, New York, NY, USA. 4. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between perceived stigma and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), demographic characteristics, and clinical and psychosocial functioning in persons with a first episode of psychosis (FEP). METHOD: A total of 399 participants with FEP presenting for treatment at 34 sites in 21 states throughout the United States were evaluated using standardized instruments to assess diagnosis, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, perceived stigma, wellbeing, and subjective recovery. RESULTS: Perceived stigma was correlated with a range of demographic and clinical variables, including DUP, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and subjective experience. After controlling for symptom severity, perceived stigma was related to longer DUP, schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, more severe depression, and lower wellbeing and recovery. The associations between stigma and depression, wellbeing, and recovery were stronger in individuals with long than short DUP, suggesting the effects of stigma on psychological functioning may be cumulative over the period of untreated psychosis. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that independent of symptom severity, perceived stigma may contribute to delay in seeking treatment for FEP, and this delay may amplify the deleterious effects of stigma on psychological functioning. The results point to the importance of reducing DUP and validating interventions targeting the psychological effects of stigma in people with FEP.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between perceived stigma and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), demographic characteristics, and clinical and psychosocial functioning in persons with a first episode of psychosis (FEP). METHOD: A total of 399 participants with FEP presenting for treatment at 34 sites in 21 states throughout the United States were evaluated using standardized instruments to assess diagnosis, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, perceived stigma, wellbeing, and subjective recovery. RESULTS: Perceived stigma was correlated with a range of demographic and clinical variables, including DUP, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and subjective experience. After controlling for symptom severity, perceived stigma was related to longer DUP, schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, more severe depression, and lower wellbeing and recovery. The associations between stigma and depression, wellbeing, and recovery were stronger in individuals with long than short DUP, suggesting the effects of stigma on psychological functioning may be cumulative over the period of untreated psychosis. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that independent of symptom severity, perceived stigma may contribute to delay in seeking treatment for FEP, and this delay may amplify the deleterious effects of stigma on psychological functioning. The results point to the importance of reducing DUP and validating interventions targeting the psychological effects of stigma in people with FEP.
Authors: Emily S M Chen; Wing Chung Chang; Christy L M Hui; Sherry K W Chan; Edwin Ho Ming Lee; Eric Y H Chen Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2016-04-27 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Ingrid Melle; Tor K Larsen; Ulrik Haahr; Svein Friis; Jan Olav Johannessen; Stein Opjordsmoen; Erik Simonsen; Bjørn Rishovd Rund; Per Vaglum; Thomas McGlashan Journal: Arch Gen Psychiatry Date: 2004-02
Authors: Manuela Ferrari; Nina Flora; Kelly K Anderson; Andrew Tuck; Suzanne Archie; Sean Kidd; Kwame McKenzie Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-01-14 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Doron Amsalem; Lawrence H Yang; Samantha Jankowski; Sarah A Lieff; John C Markowitz; Lisa B Dixon Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2021-01-23 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Joseph S DeLuca; LeeAnn Akouri-Shan; Samantha Y Jay; Samantha L Redman; Emily Petti; Alicia Lucksted; Pamela Rakhshan Rouhakhtar; Mallory J Klaunig; Sarah M Edwards; Gloria M Reeves; Jason Schiffman Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2021-08
Authors: Kim T Mueser; David L Penn; Arundati Nagendra; David M Weiss; Carrington Merritt; Corinne Cather; Effua E Sosoo Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2022-08-06 Impact factor: 4.519