THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND REDUCED STIGMA AGAINST PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and behavior, which have a significant impact on the social functioning and quality of life of those affected. One of the main problems faced by schizophrenia patients is stigma, including public, structural, and self-stigma. Self-stigma can affect the treatment process, lower self-esteem, hinder the search for health services, and impact the quality of life of patients. This study aims to analyze the relationship between self-stigma and the quality of life of schizophrenia patients. The results show that the average age of patients is 34.39 years, with the majority being male, unmarried, high school educated, and unemployed. Self-stigma among schizophrenia patients is high, characterized by withdrawal, endorsement of stereotypes, and experiences of discrimination. The quality of life of schizophrenia patients was generally low, covering aspects of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and the environment. The analysis showed a negative relationship between self-stigma and quality of life, where the higher the self-stigma, the lower the quality of life of schizophrenia patients. Therefore, multilevel stigma interventions and support from family and the social environment are needed to reduce self-stigma and improve the quality of life of schizophrenia patients.