Prevalence and correlates of self-stigma in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Abstract

Background: Self-stigma refers to the internalisation of negative societal views and stereotypes. Self-stigma has been well-characterised in the context of mental disorders such as schizophrenia but has received little attention in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: This work aimed to determine the prevalence of self-stigma in a sample of adults with PTSD and to establish factors associated with the internalisation of stigma in this population. Method: Participants were 194 adults (mean age 46.07 (SD = 12.39); 64.4% female; 96.6% white Caucasian; residing in the UK), who self-reported a diagnosis of PTSD and currently screened positive for the disorder according to the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Structured interviews and validated self-report questionnaires were used to ascertain clinical and sociodemographic information for analysis. Results: The prevalence of self-stigma measured by the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) was 41.2% (95% CI 34.24–48.22). There was no evidence of an association between self-stigma and gender (β = −2.975 (95% CI −7.046–1.097) p =.151), age (β = 0.007 (95% CI −0.152–0.165) p =.953), sexual trauma (β = 0.904 (95% CI −3.668–5.476) p =.697), military trauma (β = −0.571 (95% CI −4.027–7.287) p =.571). Self-stigma was associated with lower income and higher levels of anxiety (β = 5.722 (95% CI 2.922–8.522) p =