Factors Associated with Resisting Stigma in Clients with First-Episode Psychosis: Demographic, Clinical, and Functional Correlates and Comparisons
*Katerina Konstas (1),*Nicole Cerundolo (1), Jacqueline F. Dow (1), Dost Öngür (1,2),Emily Carol (1,2), Ruth Firmin (3)
1. The LEAP Center, Division of Psychotic Disorders, McLean Hospital
2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
3. Department of Psychology, Gordon College,
Background: Although stigma is linked to a wide range of negative outcomes for individuals with psychosis, little is known about the process of resisting stigma. Stigma resistance (SR) was measured among individuals in their first year of experiencing psychosis in order to understand (a) the degree to which SR occurs early on, (b) relationships between SR and clinical and functional outcomes, and (c) if individuals experiencing multiple stigmas may be in need of greater support.
Methods: We examined baseline levels of SR and the relationship between SR and demographic, clinical, and functional assessments using the Stigma Resistance Scale (SRS) in an outpatient first- episode psychosis clinic. The SRS is a 20-question self-report survey assessing five domains of SR. Higher scores reflect greater SR. The SRS was assessed at baseline and follow-up alongside the EPINET battery. The assessment collection period was from November 2023 to July 2024 totaling 55 total records (50 unique individuals).
Results: This poster will present data on baseline SR across the five subscales and its associations with other EPINET variables. Since this may be a client’s first experiences with mental health care, they will likely demonstrate greater self-stigma resistance than public and peer stigma resistance. We will run descriptive analyses on the associations between SR and demographic, clinical, and functional measures.
Conclusions: These findings can illuminate how individuals with first episode psychosis experience and respond to stigma. Results will have implications for how SR may intersect with early intervention services, potentially identifying areas for further work if some individuals are at greater risk for the negative impacts of stigma.