Papers by Sara González Domínguez
Current Psychology, 2021
This study aims to investigate the development and consequences of the internalized stigma (IS) e... more This study aims to investigate the development and consequences of the internalized stigma (IS) explicitly and implicitly assessed, in relation to a longer time seeking professional help, avoidance of talking about the mental illness, self-esteem and general health perception. A structural equation model was developed in a clinical sample with heterogeneous psychiatric diagnoses (N = 160). Results show that not talking about the illness and taking longer to ask for professional help is related to a higher IS, leading to poorer self-esteem and general health. Time in asking for help also has impact on the self-esteem, with the IS as a mediator between both variables. The self-esteem also mediates the negative relationship between IS and general health. Additionally, implicit IS has direct negative effects over self-esteem. The research underlines the important relationship between these psychosocial variables and IS. More studies are needed about implicit IS in order to better understand its effects and relationship with explicit IS and other relevant variables. Efforts should be made to encourage professional help and talking about mental illness in order to prevent IS, as well as interventions focused on damaged self-esteem to reduce its impact.
The aim of this study was to explore the role of stigma in different diagnoses of mental illness.... more The aim of this study was to explore the role of stigma in different diagnoses of mental illness. A cross-sectional study (N = 255) was developed in two groups: users of a rehabilitation network for people with severe mental illness (Group-I) and people with common diagnoses in an ambulatory psychiatric service (Group-II). Internalized stigma, social stigma, self-esteem, and sociodemographic variables were measured. Mean comparisons, ANOVAs, and independent linear regression models were carried out. Similar overall scores were obtained for the internalized stigma, but Group-I reported more discrimination and resistance to stigma and also had less social stigma. The regression model for Group-I revealed social stigma and self-esteem as predictors, while in Group-II only self-esteem was significant. The study reveals differences in internalized stigma according to the care resource and diagnoses, suggesting different intervention lines and underlining the importance of further researc...
Aging & mental health, Jan 28, 2016
To adapt the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI) to examine self-stigma associated... more To adapt the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI) to examine self-stigma associated with aging and to study the psychometric properties of this adapted version (IS65+). Finally, self-stigma associated with age in older people is studied. The IS65+ was administered to a random sample of 419 people over 65 years from Madrid (Spain) to study the psychometric properties of this adapted version. A regression model was estimated to identify the variables that best predict self-stigma associated with old age. The IS65+ showed good internal consistency (α = .89) and a factorial structure of five factors. The data showed lower levels of self-stigma related to age in the sample than the levels of mental illness self-stigma in people with mental illness. The variables associated with age-related self-stigma are: high levels of perceived loneliness, low levels of coping strategies, gender (female), mental disorder, major depressive disorder, low levels of optimism and quality of l...
Aging & Mental Health, 2016
To adapt the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI) to examine self-stigma associated... more To adapt the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI) to examine self-stigma associated with aging and to study the psychometric properties of this adapted version (IS65+). Finally, self-stigma associated with age in older people is studied. The IS65+ was administered to a random sample of 419 people over 65 years from Madrid (Spain) to study the psychometric properties of this adapted version. A regression model was estimated to identify the variables that best predict self-stigma associated with old age. The IS65+ showed good internal consistency (α = .89) and a factorial structure of five factors. The data showed lower levels of self-stigma related to age in the sample than the levels of mental illness self-stigma in people with mental illness. The variables associated with age-related self-stigma are: high levels of perceived loneliness, low levels of coping strategies, gender (female), mental disorder, major depressive disorder, low levels of optimism and quality of life, and high levels of functional impairment. A new version of ISMI (IS65+) with acceptable psychometric criteria has been developed for use in people over 65 years old.
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Papers by Sara González Domínguez