Predictors of Patient Stigma Perception Appraisal: Testing a Dynamic Stigma Model of Mental Illness

There is a lack of research on stigma as a socio-cultural, religious, and moral phenomenon. This study aimed to test a Dynamic Stigma Model of Mental Illness (DYSMO) among a cohort of outpatients. We used structural equation modeling techniques to examine hypothesized relationships within the DYSMO in a cohort of 330 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis produced a model with five latent variables and 17 indicators. All factor loadings were significant at p = .05). Mediation analysis on the full structural model produced standardized fit indices that include the following: (chi 2/df = 335.403 (105)), p = .000; RMSEA = 0.08 (90% CI: [0.072, 0.092]; CFI = 0.921; SRMSR = 0.059; TLI = 0.90). Overall, the study revealed that religiocultural, and structural violence perspectives can promote and damage perceptions about mental illness.