Other Titles
Depressive Symptoms as a Mediator of Self-Stigma and Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Self-stigma has consistently been identified as a significant factor that hinders recovery in people with schizophrenia. When feel internalize stigma, it can intensify depressive symptoms, which may reduce sense of recovery. The mechanism that connects self-stigma, depression, and perceived recovery is not yet well understood.
Aims: investigate the mediating effects of depressive symptoms on self-stigma and perceived recovery among people with schizophrenia.
Methods: Involved 200 participants , recruited from community of a medical center. Examined demographic data, self-stigma (measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale), which served as the independent variable, and depressive symptoms (assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II), which acted as the mediator. Perceived recovery was measured using the Perceived Recovery Inventory, serving as the dependent variable. Mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 4) for SPSS. Bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples was performed to test the indirect effect, with 95% confidence intervals that exclude zero considered statistically significant.
Results: Self-stigma significantly predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = .528, t = 8.748, p < .001). Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with perceived recovery (β = –.269, t = –3.331, p = .001). The direct effect of self-stigma on perceived recovery was non-significant (β = .000, p = .996), whereas the total effect was negative and significant (β = –.142, p = .044). The indirect effect of self-stigma on perceived recovery through depressive symptoms was significant (B = –.108, SE = .035, 95% CI = –.176 to –.037), with a completely standardized indirect effect of –.142 (SE = .045, 95% = –.228 to –.050). The mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect, supported by a significant Sobel test value (z = 3.124; p = 0.002). The findings indicate a full mediation effect.
Conclusion: Depressive symptoms fully mediate the relationship between self-stigma and perceived recovery. This indicates that self-stigma primarily affects recovery through depressive symptoms.It is essential to integrate interventions aimed at reducing self-stigma and managing depressive symptoms into nursing care. By enhancing emotional strength and addressing internalized stigma, we may promote a sense of recovery among people living with mental illness.
Notes
Extensive reference list included in attached file.
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Schizophrenia, Self-Stigma, Self Concept, Stigma, Perceived Recovery, Recovery, Recovery--Psychosocial Factors, Depressive Symptoms, Depression
Recommended Citation
Fu, Po Chun and Yang, Chiu-Yueh, "Depressive Symptoms as a Mediator of Self-Stigma and Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 101.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/101
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-30
Depressive Symptoms as a Mediator of Self-Stigma and Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Self-stigma has consistently been identified as a significant factor that hinders recovery in people with schizophrenia. When feel internalize stigma, it can intensify depressive symptoms, which may reduce sense of recovery. The mechanism that connects self-stigma, depression, and perceived recovery is not yet well understood.
Aims: investigate the mediating effects of depressive symptoms on self-stigma and perceived recovery among people with schizophrenia.
Methods: Involved 200 participants , recruited from community of a medical center. Examined demographic data, self-stigma (measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale), which served as the independent variable, and depressive symptoms (assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II), which acted as the mediator. Perceived recovery was measured using the Perceived Recovery Inventory, serving as the dependent variable. Mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 4) for SPSS. Bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples was performed to test the indirect effect, with 95% confidence intervals that exclude zero considered statistically significant.
Results: Self-stigma significantly predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = .528, t = 8.748, p < .001). Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with perceived recovery (β = –.269, t = –3.331, p = .001). The direct effect of self-stigma on perceived recovery was non-significant (β = .000, p = .996), whereas the total effect was negative and significant (β = –.142, p = .044). The indirect effect of self-stigma on perceived recovery through depressive symptoms was significant (B = –.108, SE = .035, 95% CI = –.176 to –.037), with a completely standardized indirect effect of –.142 (SE = .045, 95% = –.228 to –.050). The mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect, supported by a significant Sobel test value (z = 3.124; p = 0.002). The findings indicate a full mediation effect.
Conclusion: Depressive symptoms fully mediate the relationship between self-stigma and perceived recovery. This indicates that self-stigma primarily affects recovery through depressive symptoms.It is essential to integrate interventions aimed at reducing self-stigma and managing depressive symptoms into nursing care. By enhancing emotional strength and addressing internalized stigma, we may promote a sense of recovery among people living with mental illness.
Description
This study examined depression as a mediator between self-stigma and recovery in 200 individuals with schizophrenia. Results showed that self-stigma increased depression, which negatively impacted recovery. The direct effect of self-stigma on recovery was nonsignificant, indicating that depression fully mediates this relationship. The findings highlight the need for interventions addressing both stigma and depression to enhance recovery.