The relationship between internalized stigma and loneliness in patients with schizophrenia

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2020 Jan;56(1):168-174. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12399. Epub 2019 May 15.

Abstract

Purpose: The study was conducted for the purpose of determining the relationship between internalized stigma and loneliness in patients with schizophrenia.

Design and methods: The population of this correlational-descriptive study consisted of a total of 200 in patients with schizophrenia. The data were collected using "Form of Descriptive Characteristics", "Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI)", and "UCLA Loneliness Scale".

Findings: It was determined that the loneliness level of the patients who participated in the study was 57.20 ± 10.38 and level of of internalized stigma was 79.65 ± 13.48. There was a statistically positive and strong correlation between loneliness and internalized stigma total mean scores of the patients (P = 0.001, r = 0.854).

Practise implications: It was found that the schizophrenic patients had high levels of internalized stigma and loneliness.

Keywords: internalized stigma; loneliness; schizophrenia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Linear Models
  • Loneliness / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Schizophrenia*
  • Self Concept
  • Social Stigma*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult