Self-stigma in Psychiatric Patients –standardization of the ISMI Scale

Abstract

Manypsychiatric patients stigmatize themselves because of their mental disorder. Itis necessary to focus on both research and therapeutic options to alleviate theirburden resulting from self-stigma. The goal of this paper was to evaluate theCzech translation of the ISMI scale (the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illnessscale). The scale measures the level of self-stigma in psychiatric patients andconsists of 29 items divided in 5 subscales-Alienation, Stereotypeendorsement, Perceived discrimination, Social Withdrawal, and StigmaResistance. The research sample included 369 psychiatric patients. Theiraverage age was 41,5 + 13,3 years, and the majority were women (N = 210;56,6 %). The most common diagnoses were neurotic disorders (46,1 %), followedby mood disorders (18,4 %), substance use disorders (13,3 %), psychoses (10,8%), personality disorders (9,5 %), and organic disorders (1,6 %). Reliabilitywas assessed by Cronbach alpha (α = 0,91), split-half (Spearman-BrownCoefficient = 0,93), and test-retest with the second measurement 3 weeks afterthe first one (N = 17; r = 0,90, p < 0,05). We also performed exploratory factor analysisand the evaluation of validity based on correlations with two scales presentingphenomena connected to the concept of self-stigma (Beck Depression Scale-II andClinical Global Impression). Lastly, we created norms based on T-scores andstens for the overall scale and its subscales. The results showed that theCzech version of the ISMI scale has satisfactory psychometric properties.

Comorbidity of schizophrenia and social phobia &ndash; impact on quality of life, hope, and personality traits: a cross sectional study

“…34 The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale 44 – The scale consists of 29 items with a 4-point Likert scale and evaluates the following five areas of the self-stigma: alienation, stereotypes endorsement, perceived discrimination, social withdrawal, and stigma resistance. 44 , 45 The Czech version of the ISMI was standardized by Ocisková et al 46 Internal consistency of the Czech text of the scale was excellent (the Cronbach’s α =0.91). Demographic questionnaire contained the basic information – gender, age, marital status, education, employment, disability, age of the disorder onset, duration of attendance to the psychiatric services, number of hospitalizations, time since last hospitalization, number of visited psychiatrists, medication, and medication discontinuation in the past (on the recommendation of a psychiatrist or willingly).…”

Self-stigma and schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study

“…The following assessment tools were used:

The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale: the scale consists of 29 items with a 4-point Likert scale and evaluates five areas of self-stigma – alienation, stereotype endorsement, perceived discrimination, social withdrawal, and stigma resistance 24,25. The Czech version of the ISMI scale was standardized by Ocisková et al26 Internal consistency of the Czech text of the scale was excellent (Cronbach’s α =0.91).

CGI: the CGI is the assessment of the overall severity of the disorder 27. The objCGI-S is an overall evaluation of the patient’s mental state by a physician.…”

“…The Czech version of the ISMI scale was standardized by Ocisková et al26 Internal consistency of the Czech text of the scale was excellent (Cronbach’s α =0.91).…”

Comorbidity of Schizophrenia and Social Phobia – Impact on Quality of Life, Hope, and Personality Traits: A Cross-sectional Study

“…34 • The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale 44 -The scale consists of 29 items with a 4-point Likert scale and evaluates the following five areas of the self-stigma: alienation, stereotypes endorsement, perceived discrimination, social withdrawal, and stigma resistance. 44,45 The Czech version of the ISMI was standardized by Ocisková et al 46 Internal consistency of the Czech text of the scale was excellent (the Cronbach's α=0.91). • Demographic questionnaire contained the basic information -gender, age, marital status, education, employment, disability, age of the disorder onset, duration of attendance to the psychiatric services, number of hospitalizations, time since last hospitalization, number of visited psychiatrists, medication, and medication discontinuation in the past (on the recommendation of a psychiatrist or willingly).…”