The self-stigma of mental illness: Implications for self-esteem and self-efficacy

Self-stigma is distinguished from perceived stigma (stereotype awareness) and presented as a three-level model: stereotype agreement, self-concurrence, and self-esteem decrement. The relationships between elements of this model and self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression are examined in this study. In Study 1, 54 people with psychiatric disabilities completed a draft version of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (SSMIS) to determine internal consistency and test-retest reliability of composite scales. In Study 2, 60 people with psychiatric disabilities completed the revised SSMIS plus instruments that represent self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression. Stereotype awareness was found to not be significantly associated with the three levels of self-stigma. The remaining three levels were significantly intercorrelated. Self-concurrence and self-esteem decrement were significantly associated with measures of self-esteem and self-efficacy. These associations remained significant after partialing out concurrent depression. Implications for better understanding self-stigma are discussed.