Self-stigma and making decisions about treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of self-stigma in treatment decision-making capacity and recovery in psychosis
IRAS ID
164162
Contact name
Helen Lynch
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh/NHS Lothian
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 15 days
Research summary
Research has shown that negative public attitudes about mental illness can lead to people developing unhelpful beliefs about their own mental health problems. This is called 'self-stigma'. Previous studies have shown that high levels of self-stigma are linked to poorer ratings of recovery in psychosis. We do not know how self-stigma may relate to a person's ability to make decisions about treatment, and how that could influence the recovery process in psychosis. To address this gap, this study will investigate the relationships between self-stigma, ability to make treatment decisions, and recovery from psychosis.
Invited to take part in this study will be adults with a primary diagnosis of a non-affective psychotic disorder who are English speaking, aged 18-65 and living within the NHS Borders Health Board area. Participants will meet with the researcher on a one-off occasion that will last approximately one and a half hours. There will be an interview and some questionnaires focused on participants' experiences of mental health problems, their beliefs about mental health problems and their capacity to make decisions about treatment.
The findings of this study will help to improve our understanding of how unhelpful beliefs about mental illness may affect a person’s ability to be involved in their treatment and recovery in psychosis. It is likely to clarify the factors that could prevent a person from being involved in their care and treatment. This knowledge could help to improve how mental health services engage service users in their care and treatment in the future.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
15/SS/0025
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion