The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Resilience on the Relationship Between Internalized Stigma and Quality of Life in People with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the mediating effects of self-esteem and resilience on the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life in people with schizophrenia. Methods: The participants were 123 people with schizophrenia (mean age = 41.87 years; 62.6% men) recruited from Soonchunhyang university hospital, a mental health center, and daytime rehabilitation facilities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in South Korea. Using a cross-sectional survey, participants completed structured questionnaires with psychometric adequacy. The regression method of Baron and Kenny was used to test the mediating effects of self-esteem and resilience on the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life. Results: Self-esteem and resilience were found to be full and partial mediators, respectively, in the relationship between internalized stigma and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings of this study imply that effective future intervention strategies should target improvements in self-esteem and resilience to reduce the negative impact of internalized stigma on the quality of life of people with schizophrenia. Keywords: quality of life, resilience, psychological, schizophrenia, self-esteem, social stigma