Perceived Stigma Exposure in Schizophrenia: The Key Role of Self-concept Clarity

Gal Noyman-Veksler*, Dafna Weinberg, Shmuel Fennig, Larry Davidson, Golan Shahar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Exposure to stigmatization is a serious complication of mental illness in general, and of schizophrenia in particular. Adopting an action-theory approach, according to which individuals shape their own social environment (Shahar, 2006), we examined the role of four self-concept aspects in patients' perception of exposure to stigmatization: self-esteem level and stability, perception of the self as ill, and self-concept clarity. Out-patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (N = 89) were assessed twice, separated by a six-week interval, as to their symptoms, the above self-concept aspects, and stigmatization. Self-concept clarity was the sole predictor of (a reduction in) perceived exposure to stigmatization, possibly by shielding individuals against the deleterious effects of past discrimination and marginalization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)663-674
Number of pages12
JournalSelf and Identity
Volume12
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression

    Keywords

    • Schizophrenia
    • Self
    • Stigmatization
    • Stress

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