The Effect of Assertiveness Skills Training on Self-Esteem and Internalized Stigmatization of Chronic Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Aim: This study was planned to evaluate the effect of assertiveness skill training on chronic psychiatric patients on self-esteem and internalized stigmatization levels of patients. Method: This study is intervention study consisting of a single group of repeated measures. The research will be conducted in the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) of a hospital affiliated to the Ministry of Health in Konya. All patients will be included in the study except for those patients with acute symptoms and mental retardation who are consulted from the CMHC team. The data was collected through face-to-face interviews. The data will be collected using the Information form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Internalized Stigmatization Scale for Mental Illness. The analysis of the data was obtained by using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) and analysis of variance in repeated measurements. A probability value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Although assertiveness skills training applied to chronic psychiatric patients decreased the mean self-esteem of the patients, it was found to be not significant (p=0.542). Education on internalized stigmatization is found to be effective (p=0.002). Conclusion: Assertiveness skills training is thought to be effective methods to increase the low self-esteem of patients and to combat internalized stigmatization.

Keywords

• assertiveness skills training
• self-esteem
• internalized stigmatization
• chronic psychiatric patient