A SCALE TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF A SCHIZOPHRENIC ILLNESS ON AN INDIVIDUALS SELF-CONCEPT

This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the Modified Engulfment Scale (MES) which measures the impact of schizoph renia on self-concept. The concept of engulfment offers a theoretical framework for understanding how a person's self concept incorporates t he experience of mental illness. In a homogeneous sample of 100 outpat ients with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III -R diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder increased en gulfment was found to correlate positively with hopelessness and low s elf-esteem and negatively with self-efficacy. In addition, clinical fi ndings revealed that increased levels of engulfment were associated wi th an earlier age of onset, a longer illness, a greater number of hosp italizations and decreased social adjustment. These results suggest th at individuals with a more severe form of the illness are vulnerable t o engulfment. The study results also show substantial evidence for the reliability and validity of the MES. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saund ers Company.