The relationship between perceived stigma and interpersonal sensitivity in patients with schizophrenia: a latent profile analysis

This study identified latent profiles of perceived stigma among patients with schizophrenia and examined their demographic and clinical correlates, with a particular focus on interpersonal sensitivity. Using purposive sampling, 407 patients with schizophrenia were recruited from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Henan Province, China, between November 2025 and May 2026. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Stigma Scale for Mental Illness (SSMI), and the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM). Discrimination, disclosure, and positive aspects of mental illness served as manifest indicators in latent profile analysis conducted using Mplus 8.3. Univariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression were subsequently performed to examine factors associated with profile membership. Four latent profiles were identified: high discrimination–high disclosure concern profile (19.8%), moderate perceived stigma profile (57.0%), low discrimination/disclosure–low positivity profile (15.0%), and low perceived stigma–preserved positive profile (8.2%). Higher IPSM scores were associated with an increased likelihood of membership in the high discrimination–high disclosure concern profile ( OR = 1.105, 95% CI = 1.065 ~ 1.146). Longer illness duration was associated with a greater likelihood of membership in this profile ( OR = 3.622, 95% CI = 1.739 ~ 7.543), whereas hospitalization for > 3 months was associated with a lower likelihood of membership in this group ( OR = 0.324, 95% CI = 0.160 ~ 0.658). Perceived stigma among patients with schizophrenia showed substantial heterogeneity. Illness duration, length of hospital stay, and interpersonal sensitivity were associated with profile membership. These findings support profile-specific assessment and may inform more differentiated stigma-related nursing strategies. Not applicable.