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Reciprocal relationships between self-stigma, psychological distress, and suicidality among individuals with schizophrenia: a random intercept cross-lagged panel model with a one-year follow-up

delete2026-07-14
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PRE
AI
Y
Yun-Ling Chen
H
Hsin‐Chi Tsai
H
Hsiao-Wei Huang
T
Thao Thanh Thi Nguyen
Y
Yen-Chun Wang
Y
Yu-Ting Huang
D
Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu
J
Jung‐Sheng Chen
K
Kun‐Chia Chang *
M
Marc N. Potenza
C
Chung‐Ying Lin *
DOI:10.1007/s00406-026-02299-7delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Self-stigma, psychological distress, and suicidality are interrelated constructs in schizophrenia, yet their temporal relationships remain unclear. This study examined reciprocal relationships among self-stigma, psychological distress, and suicidality in individuals with schizophrenia using a cross-lagged model over one year. Participants with schizophrenia were recruited from a psychiatric teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. Data were collected at five time points, each three months apart, over a one-year follow-up period. Among the 241 participants, 137 completed all five times of measures. Self-stigma was measured using the Self-Stigma Scale-Short (SSS-S), psychological distress using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and suicidality using the suicidality module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were employed to examine bidirectional relationships for two datasets: entire participants (i.e., 241 with full information maximum likelihood handling missing values) and 137 participants. The models demonstrated excellent fit (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.991 and 0.995, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.051 and 0.032). Significant bidirectional effects were found between self-stigma and psychological distress across multiple waves (β = 0.13–0.36). Psychological distress related to subsequent suicidality (β = 0.16–0.19), while suicidality related to subsequent distress (β = 0.15–0.16) and subsequent self-stigma (β = 0.15–0.19). Self-stigma and suicidality rates remained relatively stable over time. Self-stigma and psychological distress sometimes exhibited reciprocal relationships over time, with distress serving as a key pathway to suicidality in schizophrenia. However, such reciprocal relationships were not consistent throughout the five-wave measures. These findings support integrated interventions targeting both self-stigma and psychological distress to reduce suicide risk.
Keywords:
Schizophrenia
Self-stigma
Psychological distress
Suicidality
Cross-lagged model
Longitudinal study

Journal

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience cover
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
IF:
3.7
Papers:
3.4K
Citations:
6.2K

Organization

C
College of Medicine
Scholars:
3.7K
Papers: 1.5K
Citations: 3
E
E-Da Hospital
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1.6K
Papers: 1.6K
Citations: 1.1K
D
Department of Occupational Therapy
Scholars:
65
Papers: 42
Citations: 0
D
department of psychiatry
Scholars:
1.9K
Papers: 685
Citations: 0
S
school of medicine
Scholars:
3.5K
Papers: 1.2K
Citations: 0
D
Department of Special Education and Counselling
Scholars:
5
Papers: 7
Citations: 0
D
department of general psychiatry
Scholars:
22
Papers: 12
Citations: 0
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