Predictors of Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder: Depression, Mania, and Perceived Cognitive Function

Self-stigma is associated with functional and social disability in mental illness, however there is little research on how self-stigma impacts people living with bipolar disorder. This study sought to investigate the relationship between self-stigma, self-perceived cognitive functioning and mood symptoms in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Two hundred and seventy-five participants (87% female; 18 to 67 years of age) with previously diagnosed bipolar disorder completed an online questionnaire that included demographic and clinical information, a general rating of cognitive ability, mood measures and a self-stigma outcome measure. Self-stigma was negatively correlated with age, employment, marital status, and perceived cognitive functioning, and positively correlated with depression. Multiple regression analysis identified depression, marital status (unmarried) and mania to be significant predictors of self-stigma accounting for 37% of its variance. These findings suggest that mood symptoms are particularly important in understanding self-stigma for people living with bipolar disorder. Future research should explore what might be an impact of self-stigma on treatment effectiveness over time; and if interpersonal relationships influence the levels of self-stigma.