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Loneliness mediates the relationship between internalised stigma and depression among patients with psychotic disorders

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  • Piotr Åšwitaj
  • PaweÅ‚ Grygiel
  • Marta Anczewska
  • Jacek Wciórka

Abstract

Background: Stigmatisation is a source of chronic stress and a major barrier to recovery for people with mental illnesses. The internalisation of stigma can have a negative impact on an individual’s social relations and lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Aim: This research is aimed at testing the hypothesis that the internalised stigma of mental illness contributes to the intensification of depressive symptoms indirectly, through its impact on feelings of loneliness. Methods: A total of 110 individuals with diagnoses of psychotic disorders ( International Classification of Diseases–10th Revision (ICD-10): F20–F29) were assessed with measures of internalised stigma, loneliness, depression, positive and negative symptoms and global functioning. The ordinary least squares regression was used for data analysis. Results: After adding loneliness to the regression model, the initially significant impact of internalised stigma on depressive symptoms disappeared. As expected, loneliness proved to be a full mediator in the relationship between stigma and depression. Conclusion: The study findings provide useful insights into the mechanisms of the harmful effects of stigma on people with mental illness. Internalised stigma and loneliness should be considered important targets for interventions aiming to promote recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Piotr Åšwitaj & PaweÅ‚ Grygiel & Marta Anczewska & Jacek Wciórka, 2014. "Loneliness mediates the relationship between internalised stigma and depression among patients with psychotic disorders," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(8), pages 733-740, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:60:y:2014:i:8:p:733-740
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764013513442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Livingston, James D. & Boyd, Jennifer E., 2010. "Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(12), pages 2150-2161, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Md. Sazedur Rahman & Md. Ashfikur Rahman & Md. Saidur Rahman, 2019. "Prevalence and Determinants of Loneliness among Older Adults in Bangladesh," International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 5(2), pages 57-64.

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