Alfonso García Castaño

Stigma and discrimination remain significant challenges to the quality of life and social integration of individuals with chronic mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia, one of the most stigmatized conditions. The paradox of insight, in which greater awareness of illness correlates with poorer psychosocial outcomes in the presence of high internalized stigma, provides a critical framework for understanding these challenges. This study examined the moderation between insight and internalized stigma and its influence on psychosocial outcomes in 83 male participants diagnosed with psychotic spectrum disorders. Using K-means clustering, three distinct profiles emerged: (1) good insight and minimal stigma, (2) poor insight and mild stigma, and (3) good insight and severe stigma. These profiles showed significant differences in depression, quality of life, and global functioning. Findings confirmed that internalized stigma moderates the relationship between insight and psychosocial well-being, exacerbating the negative influence of insight on quality of life and psychological health when stigma levels are high. The results emphasize the need for psychoeducational interventions to normalize experiences of psychosis, family and community engagement to reduce stigma, and cognitive-behavioral therapies to address stigma-related beliefs. These strategies are essential for improving psychosocial well-being and supporting recovery in this population.

In the global context of mental health, a concerning reality persists stigma and discrimination towards individuals with chronic mental disorders pose significant challenges affecting their quality of life and social integration. This study focuses on schizophrenia, one of the most stigmatized disorders, specifically exploring the phenomenon of insight and its interaction with internalized stigma. Previous findings are replicated and extended, involving a sample of 83 men diagnosed with psychotic spectrum disorders. K-means cluster analysis and ANOVA were used to identify subgroups based on levels of insight and stigma. This revealed significant differences between subgroups in psychosocial variables such as depression, quality of life, and global patient functioning. The results confirm an "insight paradox," where greater insight may be associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes in the presence of significant internalized stigma. These findings underscore the need for clinical interventions aimed at reducing stigma and enhancing the psychosocial well-being of individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders.