Predictors and outcomes of experienced and anticipated discrimination in patients treated for depression: A 2-year longitudinal study

Background Stigma is both common and associated with greater depressive morbidity in depressives. Surprisingly few longitudinal studies have explored the predictors and consequences of stigma and discrimination. Method A total of 230 patients with depression who were commencing treatment were enrolled. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were assessed using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale at the 1-year follow-up. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and Sheehan Disability Scale were administered at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years, to assess various depression outcomes. Baseline personality was evaluated using the Big Five Inventory-10. Results A previous depressive history and low agreeableness predicted experienced discrimination; a higher level of education, non-married status, and higher functional disability predicted anticipated discrimination. Higher-level experienced discrimination during the first year of treatment was significantly associated with poorer improvements in all six measured outcomes after 1 year of treatment, and again after 2 years of treatment (with the exception of the EQ-5D score). Higher anticipated discrimination was significantly associated with less improvement in the SOFAS scores after both 1 and 2 years of treatments. Limitations The study was a single-center work; this maximized consistency but may limit generalizability. Conclusions Discrimination exerts negative effects on depression outcomes that can be predicted at the initiation of treatment. Interventional studies are required to prevent and manage stigmatization of persons with depression