A meta-analysis of internalized stigma and self-esteem in mental illness

In recent years, a great deal of research has been done on the impact and consequences of internalized stigma in mental illness and on most of them the results were discussed as per experince of internalized stigma, demographic, psychosocial and psychiatric variables. Among the aforesaid psyhcosocial variables such as quality of life, self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support / integration, symptom intensity, and compliance to treatment; one of the most related one with the high internalized stigma has been found as low self-esteem. With this study that contains the studies produced during the years of 2003-2019, it is thought to have a general view on whether the relationship between the Internalized Stigma and Self-Esteem factor has an effect on mental illnesses and adjoining of the studies in Turkish and English languages in considering the identified inclusion & exclusion criteria and interpret them via method of meta-analysis and identifying of heterogeneity reasons found out in studies as a conclusion of meta analysis via systematic review. Total of 462 sütdişi produced in databases of PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT, YÖKTEZ, ULAKBİM between the years of 2003 and 2019 were examined. In meta-analysis, studies, on which only the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scales were used and 17 of them on which correlation values were given among permissible 23 of them were included and to calculate the effect size of datas Medcalc®v18.11.3 demo software for heterogeneity of the effect sizes Q and I² statistics, to test publishing bias Funnel plot and to find out the heterogeneity reasons, systematic review were used. In conclusion of meta – analysis and systematic review executed by using of total 17 studies and specifically 3 of them related with schizophrenia on which the correlation values given between the internalized stigma and self-esteem, heterogoneity results were calculated for mental illness as Q = 84,7916, I² = 81,13% with 95% of confidence interval [70.75-87.83] and heterogeneity level was found in high level as I² = 81,13% and calculated for schizophrenia as Q = 5,8141, I² = 65,60% with 95% of confidence interval [00.00-90.11] and heterogeneity level was found as I² = 65,60% in upper intermediate level. On the basis of the results, the effect of relationship between the internalized stigma and self-esteem on mental illness is found to be negative oriented and significant coherent with the literature. In order to prevent this negative relationship between internalized stigma and self esteem which deteriorates the life quality of patients, it is important to focus on psychoeducational therapies that give positive results in the literature and to observe them with long-term studies and to make other alternative treatment approaches accessible. In line with its limitations, it is thought that this study will help to identify the road map of future studies.