Self-stigma in psychotic disorders: Clinical, cognitive, and functional correlates in a diverse sample

Self-stigma in mental illness is linked to negative clinical and functional outcomes, but little is known about its correlates specifically in psychotic disorders. Here we investigated the role of clinical symptoms, cognition, and vocational status as correlates of self-stigma in 98 individuals with psychotic disorders (36 Black American, 32 White Hispanic, 11 White Non-Hispanic, 11 Asian American). A principal component analysis of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale yielded three components: Experiential Stigma, Stereotype Endorsement, and Stigma Resistance. Higher Experiential Stigma was associated with greater severity of affective symptoms and lower vocational status. Higher Stigma Resistance was associated with higher social and non-social cognition, and higher vocational status. Stereotype Endorsement did not significantly correlate with any predictor variable. Linear regression models showed that 13% of the variance in Experiential Stigma was explained by affective symptoms and vocational status, and 20% of the variance in Stigma Resistance was explained by non-social cognition and vocational status. These findings provide new information about the correlates of self-stigmain an ethnically and racially diverse psychotic disorder sample. Such information may lead to a better understanding of self-stigma mechanisms in this population. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Research on self-stigma in individuals with psychotic disorders found that correlates include Experiential Stigma, Stereotype Endorsement, and Stigma Resistance. Experiential Stigma is associated with severity of affective symptoms and vocational status, while Stigma Resistance is associated with higher social and non-social cognition, and vocational status. Ultimately, this information may help in understanding self-stigma mechanisms in this population.