Internalized Stigma Is a Predictor of Mental Health Secrecy and Loneliness in Young People With Clinical Depression Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Young people with depression experience loneliness and internalized stigma. Stigma might make disclosing depression to others difficult, thus increasing loneliness and reducing the opportunity for treatment. Knowing whether internalized stigma predicts loneliness and secrecy reinforces the need for stigma reduction efforts. The aim of this research was to examine the independent effects of internalized stigma and clinical depression on loneliness and mental health secrecy in young people with a range of depressive symptoms (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire score ≥ 27). A total of 275 young people (M_age = 20.53, SD = 2.17) were recruited and completed the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory, the 5-Item Link's Secrecy Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale at baseline and again at 1-month follow-up (N = 172, M_age = 20.40, SD = 2.00). Results showed that internalized stigma was associated with baseline loneliness (β = 0.57, 95% CI: 7.87–11.75, p < 0.001), baseline secrecy (β = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.23–0.45, p < 0.001), and secrecy over time (β = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04–0.30, p = 0.009). This work highlights the need to develop targeted interventions to reduce stigma and encourage mental health disclosure and help-seeking behaviors among young people with depression.