AUTHOR=Leon-Morales Daniela , Navarro Jose-Blas , Lamarca Maria , González-Higueras Fermín , Torres Pedro , Cid Jordi , Frigola-Capell Eva , Birulés Irene , Ochoa Susana , Vidal Carme , Garrido Gemma , Crosas Josep Maria , Aznar Ana , Palma-Sevillano Carolina , Sastre-Buades Aina , Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones Julia , Vallina-Fernández Oscar , Gutiérrez Enrique , Calvo Ana , Aguilera MI , Aldekoa A , Aznar A , Barajas A , Bassolas L , Birulés I , Blanco S , Casanovas C , Castellano X , Cazorla S , Cid J , Cobo J , Crespí C , Cristeto S , Crosas JM , Díaz L , Frigola-Capell E , Garrido G , González A , González-Higueras F , Grossi A , Guillamet G , Jimeno T , Jordà A , Jurado L , Korniyenko M , Layunta I , López-Botet M , López M , López T , Lozano L , Maestre A , Martínez I , Múñoz A , Muñoz N , Naives N , Navarro JB , Ochoa S , Palma-Sevillano C , Peniza M , Pérez R , Piña MD , Pijuan L , Puidellívol N , Ramírez I , Rico J , Sastre-Buades A , Segarra A , Seseña LP , Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones J , Schorr AL , Toraya AI , Torras R , Torres P , Traid V , Vallina O , Vázquez G , Verdaguer M , Vidal C , Vidiella M , Zuzama N , Lamarca M , Barajas Ana 

TITLE=Effect of self-stigma on personal recovery: sex differences in people with psychotic spectrum disorders

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1655885

DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2025.1655885

ISSN=2673-5059

ABSTRACT=IntroductionRecently, there has been growing evidence on self-stigma and personal recovery in people with psychotic spectrum disorders. However, despite the influence of sex on mental health and the social component of self-stigma and recovery, the evidence regarding self-stigma, personal recovery, and sex is limited and inconsistent. This research aims to study the role of sex in the effect that self-stigma has on the personal recovery of people with psychotic spectrum disorders.MethodsA sample of 118 patients with a psychosis diagnose participated in the study (55.9% men). They were recruited from 9 clinical centers in Spain. Data were collected through the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness and the Recovery Assessment Scale.ResultsThe effect of self-stigma on personal recovery differed according to the sex of the person. Specifically, in women, personal recovery decreased as self-stigma and alienation increased. Also, a higher self-stigma was associated with a lower personal confidence, hope and symptom control. In contrast, in men, a higher alienation was associated with higher personal confidence, hope and success orientation. These results were adjusted for educational level, comorbidity, number of psychotic episodes, and the time between symptom onset and treatment initiation.DiscussionThese findings highlight the urgent need to explore further the role of sex on recovery and to have a sex-sensitive approach in policies and interventions in this population. This would benefit their recovery and, in consequence, their quality of life. Future studies should expand the sample and explore other factors that could be influencing the process of recovery and self-stigma.