Determination of internalized stigma and social functioning level in schizophrenia patients

Özet

Objectives: This definitive-relational type of study determined the level of internalized stigma and social functioning and the factors that affect the level of internalized stigma in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Methods: The sample population included 113 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenic patients. A personal knowledge form, the Social Life Evaluation Questionnaire (SLEQ, independence-performance subscale of the Social Functioning Survey (SFS), the, and the Internalized stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale were used to collect data. The data were collected between December 2015 and February 2016 in polyclinics and a center of community mental health of a hospital using the face-to-face technique. The data were summarized using number, percentage, average, and standard deviation. Because a normal distribution was determined, the independent t-test was used for pair-wise comparisons. For evaluating relationships among continuous variables, correlation analysis was used. Results: In this study, education level and smoking status affected internalized stigma status. If patients met with their friends, relatives, or partner frequently or joined in social activities, the level of internalized stigma decreased. There was a weak and negative correlation between the independence-performance subscale of social functioning and total points, alienation, stereotype endorsement, social withdrawal, and stigma resistance subscales of internalized stigma in mental disorders. Conclusion: Patients with schizophrenia have a medium level of internalized stigma. There is a relationship between the internalized stigma level with some sociodemographic features and social functioning situations. Psychiatry nurses should attempt to increase patient function in cooperation with institutions and the patient’s family.