Bridging Social and Clinical Psychology to Understand Mental Illness Stigma

This is a systematic review of the literature on the relationship between internalized stigma and treatment adherence among those diagnosed with a mental illness, with a specific emphasis on identifying gaps in the literature. This review brings together one particular topic in social psychology (e.g., internalized stigma) that may inform clinically relevant work (e.g., treatment adherence among those diagnosed with a mental illness). Self-esteem, hope, self-efficacy, quality of life, social support, shame, insight, and coping were identified as mechanisms of internalized stigma. A theoretical model is proposed to examine these psychosocial mechanisms and identify gaps in relation to the relationship between internalized stigma and treatment adherence. This model provides further understanding of how internalized stigma influences treatment adherence among those diagnosed with a mental illness. Additionally, this review may provide an understanding of not only how internalized stigma relates to treatment adherence, but also advance psychological theory, identify directions for future research and point to avenues for future interventions.