(PS5-88) Exploring the Relationship Between Recovery, Perceived Stigmatization, and the Biological Perception of Illness

Abstract Text:

Introduction: Young adults face a multitude of pressures, and individuals who receive a mental health diagnosis or experience mental health concerns as an adolescent are particularly vulnerable to instability prevalent during the transition into adulthood. A biological perception of illness, characterized by genetic or neurobiological factors, may shape how individuals view their illness, which in turn may influence their perception of stigmatization and recovery. The working definition of recovery proposed by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) defines recovery as a process of change in which individuals improve their overall wellbeing, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential (SAMHS, 2012). Stigma is one of the greatest obstacles to mental health recovery, as it may prevent individuals from seeking help or hinder recovery for those that do pursue treatment (Gunasekaran et al., 2022). The present study examines the relationship between aspects of recovery and perceived stigmatization by others. Furthermore, the present study will examine the influence of a biological perception of illness on the relationship between recovery and the perception of stigmatization of others.

Methods: Participants (N=82) who received treatment for a mental health concern as an adolescent were recruited from an undergraduate psychology research pool. Participants completed a series of questionnaires including the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Illness Perception Questionnaire - Mental Health (IPQ-MH), and Perception of Stigmatization by Others for Seeking Help Scale (PSOSH).


Results: A series of Pearson Correlations were conducted to examine the association between the subscales of the RAS (personal confidence and hope, willingness to ask for help, goal and success orientation, reliance on others, and not dominated by symptoms) and the total score of the PSOSH. The findings suggest a moderate negative relationship between reliance on others and perceived stigmatization from others, r (80) = -.365, p = <.001. Furthermore, a weak negative relationship was exhibited among perceived stigmatization from others and both confidence and hope, r (80) = -.237, p = .032, and willingness to ask for help, r (80) = -.296, p = .007. No significant findings were observed for either goal and success orientation (p = .598) or not dominated by symptoms (p = .059) in relation to perception of stigmatization from others. The influence of a biological perception of illness (via the IPQ-MH) on the relationship between the subscales of the RAS and PSOSH will be discussed.

Discussion: The present study explored the relationship between key aspects of recovery and perceived stigmatization by others. The findings suggest reliance on others, personal confidence and hope, and willingness to ask for help may be negatively associated with perceived stigmatization from others. These aspects of recovery should be furthermore examined to understand whether direct intervention would be beneficial to strengthen an individual’s personal recovery journey. Additionally, whether the biological perception of mental illness influences the relationship between the aforementioned variables will be discussed.