Perceived stigma as a predictor of treatment discontinuation in young and older outpatients with depression

Objective: The authors' goal was to examine the extent to which perceived s tigma affected treatment discontinuation in young and older adults with maj or depression. Method: A two-stage sampling design identified 92 new admissions of outpati ents with major depression. Perceived stigma was assessed at admission. Dis continuation of treatment was recorded at 3-month follow-up. Results: Although younger patients reported perceiving more stigma than old er patients, stigma predicted treatment discontinuation only among the olde r patients. Conclusions: Patients' perceptions of stigma at the start of treatment infl uence their subsequent treatment behavior. Stigma is an appropriate target for intervention aimed at improving treatment adherence and outcomes.