Self-Esteem Prevalence Amongst Acute Psychiatric Inpatients; Socio-Demographic Correlates and Association with Internalized Stigma and User Satisfaction

Author(s): Frias VM, García-Estela A, Colom F, Fortuny JR, Bulbena A, Perez-Sola V

Objective: A field research on the prevalence of self-esteem among discharged patients from acute mental health wards was performed, including its socio-demographic correlates and the association with internalized stigma and user satisfaction.

Method: Discharged patients from psychiatric acute units were recruited (N=311). Participants were asked to complete questionnaires including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale and the Satispsy-22-E.

Results: Length of stay over 30 days (OR=0.422, p<0.01), voluntary admission (OR=0.295, p<0.0001), diagnosis of bipolar disorder (OR=3.926, p<0.01) and diagnosis of schizophrenia (OR=2.333, p-value<0.05) were significantly associated to preserved self-esteem. Subjects with higher self-esteem reported lower internalised stigma.

Conclusion: The combination of stigma and low self-esteem usually leads to a lack of illness insight and, consequently, to a poorer psychological and pharmacological treatment adherence. Therefore, these factors might lead to worse outcomes. Stigma and self-esteem should be targeted as early goals when developing treatment plan regardless the patient’s diagnosis.