Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the level of resources (self-esteem, selfefficacy, basic hope), stigma and discrimination among people using one of two communitybased support system (Community Self-Help Center and Occupational Therapy Workshops). Methods: In total 97 subjects with mental illness in in the Mazowieckie Province (52 from Community Self-Help Center and 45 from Occupational Therapy Workshops) were examined with the use of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Basic Hope Inventory-12 (BHI-12) and Consumer Experiences of Stigma Questionnaire (CESQ). Results: Results shows no differences in the level of resources (self-esteem, selfefficacy, basic hope) between the study groups. Whereas for the entire study group the predictor of the stigma was the level of self-esteem – the lower the self-esteem people using community-based support systems had, the more stigma they felt. Conclusions: Self-esteem can be crucial for coping with difficult social situations, such as stigmatization, which affects the entire recovery.

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