The Role of Self-Compassion in Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness

Abstract

This research examines how self-compassion affects
internal stigma reduction, together with its effects on self-esteem
growth and positive mental health treatment perspective in
individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions. The study
examined 120 participants who qualified with depression, anxiety
or bipolar disorder, distributed among 60 participants in the selfcompassion
intervention and 60 participants in control conditions.
Each participant in the intervention group attended a selfcompassion
program that ran for four weeks, but the control
participants did not receive any educational materials. The research
used four main evaluation tools, which included the Self-
Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Internalized Stigma of Mental
Illness Scale (ISMI) as well as the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
(RSES) and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological
Help Scale (ATSPPH). The participants in the experimental condition
showed major improvements regarding self-compassion, alongside
reduced internalized stigma scores and increased self-esteem
measures and changed their minds regarding mental health
treatment positively. The variables in the control participants
displayed minimal variations. Researchers found that selfcompassion
serves as an evidence-based intervention that succeeds
in reducing stigma and enhancing psychological results, which adds
significant value to conventional therapy approaches.