The Relationship Between Internalized Stigma with Self-reported Cognitive Dysfunction and Insight in Schizophrenia

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between internalized stigma with selfreported cognitive dysfunction and insight in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: There were 69 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in the study. Severity of illness, insight, self-reported cognitive impairment, and internalized stigma were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight (SAI), the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale. Results: Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale-patient scores correlated positively and significantly with the ISMI subscales Alienation and Stereotype Endorsement. Schedule for the Assessment of Insight scores correlated positively and significantly with the ISMI subscales Alienation, Stereotype Endorsement, Discrimination Experience, and Social Withdrawal. There was no correlation between SCoRS-patient, SAI subscale, and total scores. In the regression analysis, SCoRS-patient score and SAI total scores explained 38.2% of the ISMI Alienation subscale, and 25.5% of the ISMI Stereotype Endorsement subscale. Conclusion: Significant associations were found between internalized stigma with self-reported cognitive impairment and insight. Clinicians should be aware of higher degrees of internalized stigma in persons with schizophrenia who experience subjective cognitive deficits and have higher levels of insight.