Internalized mental illness stigma and subjective well-being: The mediating role of psychological well-being. Issue 3 (30th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez-Garín, Daniel; Molero, Fernando; Bos, Arjan E.R.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 228:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2015-08-30
• Subjects: Stigma -- Internalized stigma -- Psychological well-being -- Subjective well-being; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.06.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the relationships between internalized stigma, psychological well-being, and subjective well-being in a sample of people with mental illness. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 213 outpatients from the Spanish public social care network. The results showed that (a) internalized stigma was significantly negatively correlated with psychological well-being and subjective well-being (affect balance and life satisfaction) (all correlations are significant with at least p <0.05; most with p <0.001), (b) the two types of well-being were significantly positively correlated and regressions models were significant and (all correlations are at least p <0.01, and regression models are also significant), (c) the effect of internalized stigma on affect balance and life satisfaction was mediated by psychological well-being. The component of internalized stigma most consistently associated with both types of well-being was alienation (life satisfaction: B =−0.35, p =0.001; affect balance: B =−0.38, p =0.001). These findings should be confirmed in future longitudinal or experimental research. On the basis of these results we recommend that interventions to combat self-stigma aim to reduce feelings of alienation and improve self-acceptance and other aspects of positive psychological functioning. Highlights: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 213 outpatients. Internalized stigma was negatively correlated with both types of well-being. Both types of well-being were positively correlated. Regression models were significant. Stigma effects on subjective well-being were mediated by psychological well-being.