Evaluation of the impact of a self-stigma reduction programme on psychosocial outcomes among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background

Self stigma is assumed to be more prominent in Jordanian society than in Western countries, reflecting a poor understanding of mental illness, collectivistic culture, and delay in accessing psychiatric care

Aim

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-stigma reduction programme on self-stigma.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2017 to December 2018 with 278 people diagnosed with schizophrenia (PDwS). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a self-stigma reduction programme (psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy and social skills training), or treatment as usual (TAU).

Results

PDwS in the intervention group experienced a greater reduction in the level of self-stigma (20.19 vs −0.62; p < 0.001) at post-intervention and (37.35 vs −0.66; p < 0.001) at six-month follow-up.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the self-stigma reduction programme has the potential to reduce self-stigma levels.

Trial registration

NCT04087954

Keywords:

• Self-Stigma
• psychosocial intervention
• self-esteem
• psychiatric symptoms

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).