Self-stigma and its correlates among outpatients with depressive disorders

Cheng Fang Yen, Cheng Chun Chen*, Yu Lee, Tae Chun Tang, Ju Yu Yen, Chih Hung Ko

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

108 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aims of this study were to assess self-stigma among Taiwanese outpatients with depressive disorders and to examine the factors related to self-stigma. Using the Self-Stigma Assessment Scale, the authors evaluated 247 outpatients with depressive disorders to determine their levels of self-stigma. The relationships between self-stigma and severity of depressive symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, and course of illness were further examined. Sixty-two patients (25 percent) had high levels of self-stigma. Patients who had more severe depression and less education had higher levels of self-stigma. Clinicians should take self-stigma into consideration when communicating with depressed patients, especially those with characteristics associated with high levels of self-stigma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)599-601
Number of pages3
JournalPsychiatric Services
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 05 2005
Externally publishedYes

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