Latent Profile Analysis of Self-Stigma Among Individuals With Schizophrenia and Its Relationship With Illness Perception

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate self-stigma among individuals with schizophrenia, identify potential categories of self-stigma, and analyze the association between self-stigma categories and dimensions of disease perception. Method: Convenience sampling was used to select individuals with schizophrenia ( N = 216) in psychiatric hospitals. A General Demographic Information Questionnaire, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory, and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire were used for data collection. A latent profile analysis was performed on self-stigma characteristics of participants, and potential categories of influencing factors and their relationship with illness perception were examined. Results: Participants were classified into three potential categories: low self-stigma–low resistance (19.4%), medium self-stigma (55.6%), and high self-stigma–high discrimination (25%). Compared with the low self-stigma–low resistance group, those with higher illness representation and illness understanding scores were more likely to be classified as medium self-stigma, and emotional representation was the strongest predictor for high self-stigma–high discrimination. Conclusion: Self-stigma among participants was mostly medium to high. Self-stigma of individuals with schizophrenia demonstrates group heterogeneity; therefore, nurses should formulate targeted interventions based on the characteristics of each category to achieve precise interventions and reduce self-stigma. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]