Self-stigmatization among patients with schizophrenia, their relatives and patients with major depressive disorder

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess stigma to others and self-stigma among outpatients with schizophrenia, their relatives, and patients with major depressive disorder and to examine the factors related to the stigmatization. Methods: Using the Self-Stigma Assessment Scale, 167 patients with schizophrenia, 45 relatives of the patients with schizophrenia and 86 patients with major depressive disorder were evaluated. The correlation between stigmatization to others and self-stigmatization and severity of illness, duration of illness, and demographic characteristics were further examined for each group. Illness severity was evaluated using the clinical global impression scale. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between patients with schizophrenia and patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with respect to stigmatization to others and self-stigmatization. Stigmatization to others was found to be higher in patients' relatives. Although there were no correlation between stigmatization and demographic and clinical characteristics among patients with schizophrenia and their relatives, there was a positive correlation between severity of illness and stigmatization to others and self-stigmatization among patients with MDD. There was also a positive correlation between the level of education and self-stigmatization among patients with MDD. Conclusion: Disabling nature of the illness and negative public attitudes to the patients might be causative factors for self-stigmatization in schizophrenia. Clinicians should take the stigmatization to others and self-stigmatization which could be seen both patients and their relatives into consideration when treating patients with schizophrenia and their relatives in order to prevent negative consequences of the stigma. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2012;13:1-7