The Relationship Between Self-Stigma and Perceived Dignity Among Individuals With Schizophrenia: The Moderating Role of Insight Into Illness

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2025 May 14:1-8. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20250507-02. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To explore how insight into illness affects the relationship between self-stigma and perceived dignity among individuals with schizophrenia.

METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving a convenience sample of 202 participants with schizophrenia at two psychiatric hospitals in eastern Taiwan. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire, including the Perceived Psychiatric Stigma Scale, Dignity Instrument, and item G12 from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to assess perceived stigma, dignity, and insight into illness, respectively. The moderation regression model was analyzed.

RESULTS: Findings revealed that self-stigma was negatively associated with perceived dignity among individuals with chronic schizophrenia. Moreover, insight into illness played a conditional moderating role in the relationship between self-stigma and perceived dignity.

CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that the impact of self-stigma on perceived dignity varies depending on the level of insight into illness. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.].

PMID:40359445 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20250507-02