Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) considers
stigma of mental illness as a crucial problem (WHO, 2001). Stigma
contributes to the onset (Morgan et al., 2010) and the outcome of
people affected by schizophrenia (Himan, 2015).
Objectives To evaluate the perception of patients affected by psychotic
disorders of being stigmatized by the community.
Aims To compare the perception of stigma among subgroups of
patients at different stage of their disorder.
Methods Thirty-five patients affected by a first-episode of psychosis
(FEP) and 96 patients affected by chronic psychosis were
recruited. The Devaluation of Consumers Scale (DCS) and the Devaluation
of Consumer Families Scale (DCFS) were administered to
assess the perceived public stigma (Struening et al., 2001). The Positive
And Negative Schizophrenic Symptoms Scale (PANSS) (Kay
et al., 1987) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) (Goldman
et al., 1992) were administered to assess psychotic symptoms
and global level of functioning.Results Patients affected by chronic psychosis perceived higher
devaluation against mental disorders than patients with a
recent onset of psychosis (Mann\u2013Whitney\u2019s U = 910.500, P = 0.017).
DCS and DCFS correlated with increased voluntary admissions
(Rho = 0.355, P = 0.002; Rho = 0.257, P = 0.029) and DCS with
increased compulsory admissions (Rho = 0.349, P = 0.003). Only
among chronic patients, DCS factor 2 was related to global level
of functioning (Rho = 0.217, P = 0.041).
Conclusions Patients affected by chronic psychotic disorders
perceived a more pessimistic attitude of the community towards
their participation in social and community life and this is related
to increased admissions and disability.
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration
of competing interest