Self-stigma and its correlates among outpatients with depressive disorders

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.