The investigation of the relationships between the internalized stigma, self compassion, psychological resilience in patients with bipolar disorder

This research aims to examine the relationships between internalized stigma, self compassion, and psychological resilience among patients in remission who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in remission. The sample was composed of 132 patients that are monitored in the University of Health Sciences Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental and Neurological Disorders Health Practice and Research Hospital Mood Center and Psychiatry Ambulatory Care Units, complying with inclusion and exclusion criteria, Participants were accepted to be in remission by applying the Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The Sociodemographic form that was prepared for the research has been applied to the patients by the researcher. The Internalized Stigma Scale, the Self Compassion Scale, and the Psychological Resilience for Adults Scale were filled by the participants. Frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were taken into account to find answers for the questions of the research. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were also made. As a result of the analyses, meaningful relationship was found between internalized stigma and psychological resilience, and internalised stigma and self compassion. No meaningful relationship was found between self between self compassion and psychological resilience. A negative meaningful relationship was determined between internalised stigma and self-compassion, then it was found that self compassion predicts internalized stigma. In conclusion, internalized stigma scores were correlated with self compassion and psychological resilience scores in patients with bipolar disorder. It was seen that individuals with high level of self compassion had low levels of internalized stigma. In addition, it was thought to be beneficial to take self compassion into account when stigma has been addressed in psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorders. Keywords: Bipolar Disorder, Internalized Stigma, Self Compassion, Psychological Resilience