Treatment Adherence, Internalised Stigma and Recovery Among Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia in Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Introduction and AimThis study aimed to assess the relationship between treatment adherence, internalised stigma, recovery and the mediating effect of internalised stigma on these relations in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.MethodThis study was conducted using a cross‐sectional design. A purposive sample of 107 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia receiving psychiatric outpatient care at outpatient clinics and community mental health services (CMHC) affiliated with SBU Van research and education hospital was recruited for this study. The data were collected by the following tools: sociodemographic data questionnaire, the internalised stigma in mental illnesses scale, the medication adherence rating scale and recovery assessment scale.ResultsThe study participants reported low levels of treatment adherence, high levels of internalised stigma and moderate levels of recovery. Furthermore, we found a weak negative correlation between internalised stigma and treatment adherence. There was a moderate negative correlation between internalised stigma and recovery. Additionally, it was found that internalised stigma has fully mediating effect on the relation between treatment adherence and recovery.Implications for PracticeThe results of this study can guide mental health nurses in developing tailored interventions and support programmes to improve this population's treatment adherence, recovery and overall mental health outcomes.