Internalization of stigma and self-esteem as it affects the capacity for intimacy among patients with schizophrenia

The study examines the relationship between internalization of stigma, self-esteem, and the ability of people diagnosed with schizophrenia to form intimate attachments with loved ones. The study included sixty patients with schizophrenia, ages 18–60, men and women. After providing informed consent, all participants completed four questionnaires: Demographics Questionnaire, Self-Esteem Scale, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and the Intimacy Attitude Scale-Revised. Internalization of social stigma was found to be a statistically significant core factor that affects self-esteem and the ability to create intimacy among patients with schizophrenia. There was statistically significantly less internalization of stigma of mental illness among hospitalized patients than among individuals with schizophrenia who live in the community.