Are self-stigma and coping strategies interrelated in outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using the psychiatric medication? Cross-sectional study

IntroductionSelf-stigma is the maladaptive psychosocial phenomenon that can affect the patient's self-image, may lead to dysphoria, social isolation, reduced adherence and quality of life. Maladaptive coping strategies may adversely disturb the overall functioning of psychiatric patients.ObjectivesThinking about coping strategies and self-stigma in practice may play a significant role in understanding patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, especially for mental health professionals. Focus on coping strategies could be a useful concept in supportive and educational therapy to help patients in using more adaptive coping strategies and decrease their self-stigma.AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the relation between coping strategies and the self-stigma among outpatients with schizophrenia and related disorders.MethodsStress Coping Style Questionnaire (SVF-78), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) and severity of the disorder (measured by Clinical Global Impression objective and subjective form) were assessed.ResultsOne hundred and four patients suffering from schizophrenia (n = 67), schizoaffective disorder (n = 30), polymorphic psychotic disorder (n = 3), schizotypal disorder (n = 2) and delusional disorder (n = 2) were included in the study. The results showed that there was a high positive correlation between negative coping and self-stigma, and the negative correlation between positive strategies and the overall score of self-stigma. Stepwise regression analysis showed that negative coping (especially resignation), subjective severity SubjCGI and positive coping strategies (especially positive self-instruction) explains 52.8% of the overall score variance of self-stigma (Tables 1–3).ConclusionsThis study revealed that there is a connection between self-stigma and coping strategies in patients suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Contribution of stress and coping strategies to problematic Internet use in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Comprehensive Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.09.007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 87 ◽

pp. 89-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ju-Yeon Lee ◽

Young-Chul Chung ◽

Je-Heon Song ◽

Yo-Han Lee ◽

Jae-Min Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Internet Use ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

And Coping

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Symptoms, functioning and coping strategies in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take antipsychotic medication: a comparative interview study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291716000775 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (10) ◽

pp. 2179-2188 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

E. Jung ◽

M. Wiesjahn ◽

H. Wendt ◽

T. Bock ◽

W. Rief ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Antipsychotic Medication ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

General Functioning ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

And Coping

BackgroundA considerable proportion of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders do not take antipsychotic medication but seem to be functioning well. However, little is known about this group. To test the assumption that absence of medication is compensated for by more effective coping and increased social support, this study compared symptoms, functioning, coping strategies and social support in non-medicated and medicated individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.MethodIn all, 48 participants with a DSM-IV schizophrenia spectrum disorder who were taking (n= 25) or not taking antipsychotic medication (n= 23) were included. Assessment consisted of self-ratings of symptoms, symptom-related distress and social support combined with a semi-structured interview that assessed general and social functioning, subjective evaluation of symptoms and coping strategies.ResultsSymptom severity and distress did not differ between the groups. However, the non-medicated participants had significantly higher levels of general functioning than medicated participants and a longer duration of being non-medicated was significantly associated with a higher level of general functioning. In contrast to the hypotheses, not taking medication was not associated with more effective coping strategies or with higher levels of social support. Medicated participants more frequently reported the use of professional help as a coping strategy.ConclusionsOur results corroborate previous studies finding improved functioning in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take medication compared with those who take medication, but do not support the notion that this difference is explicable by better coping or higher levels of social support. Alternative explanations and avenues for research are discussed.

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Coping strategies and self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

Patient Preference and Adherence ◽

10.2147/ppa.s106437 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol Volume 10 ◽

pp. 1151-1158 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jan Prasko ◽

Michaela Holubova ◽

Radovan Hruby ◽

Klara Latalova ◽

Dana Kamaradova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Coping strategies and quality of life in schizophrenia outpatients treated by Psychopharmacs - cross-sectional study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.641 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s252-s253

Author(s):

M. Holubova ◽

J. Prasko ◽

R. Hruby ◽

D. Kamaradova ◽

M. Ociskova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Positive Coping ◽

Negative Coping ◽

Image Position ◽

Self Instruction ◽

And Coping ◽

The Relationship

IntroductionThe modern psychiatric view of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and their treatment has led to an increasing focus on coping strategies and quality of life of these patients.ObjectivesUnderstanding the relationship between quality of life and coping strategies can help in finding those coping strategies that enhance the quality of life. It is important to study the inner experience and striving of patients because of connection with well-being and treatment adherence.Aims:In the present study, the authors examined the relationship between demographic data, the severity of symptoms, coping strategies, and quality of life in psychotic outpatients.MethodsPsychiatric outpatients who met ICD-10 criteria for a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or delusional disorder) were recruited in the study. Questionnaires measuring the coping strategies (SVF-78), the quality of life (Q-LES-Q), and symptoms severity (objective and subjective clinical global impression–objCGI; subjCGI) were assessed. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.ResultsOne hundred and nine psychotic outpatients were included in the study. The QoL was significantly related to the Positive and Negative coping strategies. The severity of disorder highly negatively correlated with the QoL score. Stepwise regression analysis showed that symptoms severity (subjCGI), Positive coping strategies (especially Positive Self-instruction), Difference between the objCGI and subjCGI and Negative coping strategies explain totally 53.8% of variance of the QoL (Tables 1–3).Table 1Description of the sample, demographic and clinical data. Table 2Description of using coping strategies and quality of life in schizophrenic outpatients. Average use of coping 40-60 T-score, more than 60 overusing, less than 40 reduced use of coping strategy.Table 3Correlations between quality of life and coping strategies. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001.ConclusionsOur study suggests the importance of utilizing the Positive coping strategies in improving the quality of life in patients with psychotic disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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