Stigma, Depression, and Social Support in Black Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia

AI Summary

Stigma increases depressive symptoms that mediate poorer psychological wellbeing and mental health recovery in Black individuals with schizophrenia.
Social support mitigates the negative impact of stigma on depression and subsequent behavioural health outcomes.
Findings derive from cross-sectional data; mediation and moderation effects are theoretical, not causal, requiring prospective validation.

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s40615-026-02870-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

While racial disparities in schizophrenia treatment and service utilization are well-documented, little is known about the mechanisms driving these disparities. This study sought to identify mechanisms by which stigma negatively affects outcomes for Black individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cross-sectional data from a subsample of 152 Black adults enrolled in the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode-Early Treatment Program (RAISE-ETP) Study was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between stigma and behavioral health outcomes, specifically psychological wellbeing and mental health recovery. Social support was shown to mitigate this relationship. Findings were consistent with prior research indicating that stigma is a determinant of psychological wellbeing in individuals with mental health conditions and that depression is one pathway by which this effect occurs. However, because these data were cross-sectional, the observed mediation and moderation effects should be interpreted as theoretical rather than causal, pending prospective validation.

PMID:42446865 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-026-02870-x

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