Xu-Hong Li1, Tian-Ming Zhang2, Yuen Yum Yau1, Yi-Zhou Wang1, Yin-Ling Irene Wong3, Lawrence Yang4,5, Xiao-Li Tian6, Cecilia Lai-Wan Chan1, Mao-Sheng Ran1. 1. Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 2. Department of Social Work, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China. 3. School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA. 5. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. 6. Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-stigma exerts a range of adversities for persons with severe mental illness (SMI), however, little is known about the association between peer contact, social support and self-stigma. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between peer contact and self-stigma among persons with SMI in Hong Kong. METHODS: A total of 159 persons with SMI (schizophrenia and mood disorder) in community service centres participated in the study through completing a survey on self-stigma, social functioning, social support, perception of peer contact and mass media. Logistic regression was utilised to explore the influencing factors of self-stigma among the participants. RESULTS: The results showed that 81.1% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of self-stigma. Self-stigma was significantly associated with diverse factors (e.g. social functioning). Importantly, positive peer contact was significantly associated with lower self-stigma of persons with SMI. Social support acted as a mediator between peer contact and self-stigma. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that contact-based interventions, such as enhancing positive peer-to-peer contact, should be conducted for reducing self-stigma among persons with SMI.
BACKGROUND: Self-stigma exerts a range of adversities for persons with severe mental illness (SMI), however, little is known about the association between peer contact, social support and self-stigma. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between peer contact and self-stigma among persons with SMI in Hong Kong. METHODS: A total of 159 persons with SMI (schizophrenia and mood disorder) in community service centres participated in the study through completing a survey on self-stigma, social functioning, social support, perception of peer contact and mass media. Logistic regression was utilised to explore the influencing factors of self-stigma among the participants. RESULTS: The results showed that 81.1% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of self-stigma. Self-stigma was significantly associated with diverse factors (e.g. social functioning). Importantly, positive peer contact was significantly associated with lower self-stigma of persons with SMI. Social support acted as a mediator between peer contact and self-stigma. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that contact-based interventions, such as enhancing positive peer-to-peer contact, should be conducted for reducing self-stigma among persons with SMI.
Entities:
Keywords:
Hong Kong; Self-stigma; mass media; peer contact; severe mental illness
Authors: Mao-Sheng Ran; Yi-Zhou Wang; Pei-Yi Lu; Xue Weng; Tian-Ming Zhang; Shu-Yu Deng; Ming Li; Wei Luo; Irene Yin-Ling Wong; Lawrence H Yang; Graham Thornicroft; Lin Lu Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2022-03-03