Abstract
Background: Self-stigma exerts a range of adversities for persons with severe mental illness (SMI), however, little is known about the association between peer contact, social support and self-stigma. Aims: This study aimed to explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between peer contact and self-stigma among persons with SMI in Hong Kong. Methods: A total of 159 persons with SMI (schizophrenia and mood disorder) in community service centres participated in the study through completing a survey on self-stigma, social functioning, social support, perception of peer contact and mass media. Logistic regression was utilised to explore the influencing factors of self-stigma among the participants. Results: The results showed that 81.1% of participants reported moderate to severe levels of self-stigma. Self-stigma was significantly associated with diverse factors (e.g. social functioning). Importantly, positive peer contact was significantly associated with lower self-stigma of persons with SMI. Social support acted as a mediator between peer contact and self-stigma. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that contact-based interventions, such as enhancing positive peer-to-peer contact, should be conducted for reducing self-stigma among persons with SMI.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 622-631 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | International Journal of Social Psychiatry |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2021 |
Keywords
- Hong Kong
- Self-stigma
- mass media
- peer contact
- severe mental illness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health