Well-Being Among Persons at Risk of Psychosis: The Role of Self-Labeling, Shame, and Stigma Stress

Abstract

Perceived public stigma, shame, and self-labeling appear to be associated with stigma stress and reduced well-being among young people at risk of psychosis. With early intervention programs gaining traction worldwide, effective strategies to address the shame and stigma associated with at-risk states and early psychosis are needed.

The Effects of Stigma on Recovery Attitudes in People With Anorexia Nervosa in Intensive Treatment

“…Future research is also needed evaluating a cognitive therapy approach that specifically targets cognitions that support erroneous assumptions and negative stereotypes that reinforce the internalization of stigmatizing attitudes about people with AN. Arming individuals with the skills to strengthen their resistance to stigma may help them simultaneously combat internalized stigma and increase their self-esteem to manage recovery from their illness while in treatment (Griffiths et al, 2015a;Kaiser et al, 2004;Rüsch et al, 2014).…”

Stigma as a stressor and transition to schizophrenia after one year among young people at risk of psychosis

“…Participants were recruited in the region of Zürich, Switzerland, in the context of a larger study on early recognition of psychosis (for further details of study design, recruitment and inclusion criteria see Theodoridou et al, 2014;Rüsch et al, 2014b). After complete description of the study to participants, written informed consent was obtained, in case of minors including the written informed consent of their parents.…”

Changes in neurocognitive functioning during transition to manifest disease: comparison of individuals at risk for schizophrenic and bipolar affective psychoses

“…In particular, selflabelling and perceived public stigma can be related to heightened stress through stigma-associated cognitions that delicately reduce the well-being of young individuals diagnosed as at-risk (Rüsch et al 2014). Therefore, more research is urgently needed concerning the possible side-effects of identifying a person as being 'at-risk of psychosis' .…”