Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2008;11(2):118-124.

정신분열병 환자의 병식과 내재화된 낙인의 관련성

Han Bee Kim, MD and Youn Sik Shin, MD

Abstract

Objectives:Internalized stigma of schizophrenia produces negative consequences. To Reduce the stigma, it is necessary to understand the factors contributing to internalized stigma. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between internalized stigma and multiple dimensions of insight.
Methods:Twenty nine patients with schzophrenia were enrolled in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess insight level and stigma. Several measures including Korean version of Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorders (SUMD-K) and Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (K-ISMI) were taken.
Results:We found some correlations between subcategories of insight and stigma. Awareness of social consequences of current mental illness was significantly associated with social withdrawal (-0.439, p<0.05). While high score in awareness items about past symptoms was related with low stigma resistance ratings (-0.421, p<0.05), high level of attribution was associated with strong stigma resistance (0.374, p<0.05).
Conclusion:From this study we can assume that individual aspects of insight has different effect on internalized stigma. There was a positive relationship between insight about awareness of past symptoms and social withdrawal. On the contrary, insight about attribution of symptom was negatively correlated with internalized stigma in patients with schizophrenia. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2008;11:118-124)

Key Words: Schizophrenia,Insight,Stigma.