Exploring Internalized Stigma, Self-Esteem, and Symptom Severity in Depression: A Comparative Study of Active and Remitted Phases

Year 2024, Volume: 31 Issue: 3, 253 - 260, 29.09.2024

Pınar Ünal Aydın , Emin Oryal Taşkın

https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1483806

Abstract

Objective: Internalized stigma, which refers to the internalization of negative attitudes and beliefs towards persons with mental illness, significantly impacts their self-perception and overall well-being. This research examines the correlations among internalized stigma, the severity of symptoms, and self-esteem in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), specifically comparing those currently experiencing active depression with those who are in remission.
Material and Method: Participants were selected from a psychiatric outpatient unit based on their diagnosis of MDD. Participants provided sociodemographic information and completed assessments measuring the severity of depression, level of anxiety, self-esteem, and internalized stigma.
Results: Participants experiencing active depression exhibited elevated levels of depression severity, anxiety severity, and internalized stigma, while also reporting diminished self-esteem in comparison to those who were in a state of remission. Strong positive relationships were observed between the severity of depression and internalized stigma where self-esteem was negatively correlated with the stigma. The results of the regression analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the severity of depression, self-esteem, and internalized stigma in the group of individuals with active MDD.
Conclusion: This study underscores the impact of depression severity and self-esteem on internalized stigma in individuals with MDD. The findings indicate the need to implement comprehensive treatment techniques that address psychological and social variables like self-esteem and internalized stigma in addition to symptom management. Future studies should investigate the long-term connections and assess the efficacy of interventions in reducing the obstacles caused by stigma in the process of recovering from depression.

Keywords

internalized stigma, depression, self-esteem, anxiety, remission, symptom

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