Table 1 Internalized stigma of mental illness: number of participants agreed and number of text fragments matched
Statement/item | # agreed | # of text fragments |
|---|---|---|
Alienation | ||
1. Because of mental illness, I became the burden of my family | 6 | 4 |
2. Having a mental illness has spoiled my life | 6 | 3 |
3. I feel inferior to others who don’t have a mental illness | 4 | 6 |
4. People without mental illness could not possibly understand me | 4 | 0 |
5. I am disappointed in myself for having a mental illness | 3 | 2 |
6. I feel out of place in the world because I have a mental illness | 2 | 1 |
7. I hate myself because I have mental illness | 2 | 0 |
Perceived discrimination | ||
1. People discriminate against me because I have a mental illness | 4 | 18 |
2. Others think that I can’t achieve much in life because I have a mental illness | 4 | 2 |
3. Nobody would be interested in getting close to me because I have a mental illness | 3 | 5 |
4. People ignore me or take me less seriously just because I have a mental illness | 2 | 5 |
Social withdrawal | ||
1. I don’t talk about myself much because I don’t want to burden others with my mental illness | 5 | 1 |
2. I don’t socialize as much as I used to because my mental illness might make me look or behave “weird” | 4 | 8 |
3. Negative stereotypes about mental illness keep me isolated from the “normal” world | 4 | 0 |
4. I’m afraid to talk about mental illness and related topics | 3 | 0 |
5. I stay away from social situations in order to protect my family or friends from embarrassment | 3 | 0 |
6. Because of mental illness, I often want to avoid familiar people and environment | 2 | 8 |
7. I avoid getting close to people who don’t have a mental illness to avoid rejection | 2 | 0 |
8. Being around people who don’t have a mental illness makes me feel out of place or inadequate | 1 | 4 |
Stereotype endorsement | ||
1. Because I have a mental illness, I need others to make most decisions for me | 5 | 1 |
2. I can’t contribute anything to society because I have a mental illness | 4 | 0 |
3. People with mental illness cannot live a good, rewarding life | 3 | 0 |