(1) Background: There is increasing interest in the practice of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) to treat people with schizophrenia, as evidenced by the publication of different randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, no meta-analysis of RCTs has been carried out to date with the exclusive inclusion of this type of interventions. (2) Objective: To analyze empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of MBIs for the improvement of clinical parameters associated with schizophrenia. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of RCTs published in the databases PsycINFO, PubMed, WOS, and Cochrane Library. (3) Results: A total of 10 articles (n = 1094) fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the review. The analysis of these studies suggests that MBIs combined with standard interventions are able to generate significant improvements in a variety of clinical schizophrenia-related parameters, such as the intensity of overall symptomatology (g = 0.72), positive symptoms (g = 0.32), negative symptoms (g = 0.40), functioning level (g = 1.28), and awareness of illness (g = 0.65). (4) Conclusions: There is evidence that supports the effectiveness and safety of MBIs for the treatment of people with schizophrenia. The results obtained by MBIs are comparable to those obtained by cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis. However, given the heterogeneity of the applied interventions and the methodological limitations found in the reviewed trials, the results should be interpreted with caution.
Stigma and discrimination remain significant challenges to the quality of life and social integration of individuals with chronic mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia, one of the most stigmatized conditions. The paradox of insight, in which greater awareness of illness correlates with poorer psychosocial outcomes in the presence of high internalized stigma, provides a critical framework for understanding these challenges. This study examined the moderation between insight and internalized stigma and its influence on psychosocial outcomes in 83 male participants diagnosed with psychotic spectrum disorders. Using K-means clustering, three distinct profiles emerged: (1) good insight and minimal stigma, (2) poor insight and mild stigma, and (3) good insight and severe stigma. These profiles showed significant differences in depression, quality of life, and global functioning. Findings confirmed that internalized stigma moderates the relationship between insight and psychosocial well-being, exacerbating the negative influence of insight on quality of life and psychological health when stigma levels are high. The results emphasize the need for psychoeducational interventions to normalize experiences of psychosis, family and community engagement to reduce stigma, and cognitive-behavioral therapies to address stigma-related beliefs. These strategies are essential for improving psychosocial well-being and supporting recovery in this population.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) consist of short and structured intervention protocols focused on teaching patients the use of mindfulness for therapeutic purposes. Over the last three decades, there has been a remarkable expansion of this kind of interventions for the treatment of various psychopathological conditions. Despite this, MBIs have only recently begun to be applied in the treatment of people with schizophrenia. Analysis of the available evidence on MBIs for the treatment of people with this disorder suggests that they are effective and safe treatments, although more research is needed to draw more robust conclusions.
In the global context of mental health, a concerning reality persists stigma and discrimination towards individuals with chronic mental disorders pose significant challenges affecting their quality of life and social integration. This study focuses on schizophrenia, one of the most stigmatized disorders, specifically exploring the phenomenon of insight and its interaction with internalized stigma. Previous findings are replicated and extended, involving a sample of 83 men diagnosed with psychotic spectrum disorders. K-means cluster analysis and ANOVA were used to identify subgroups based on levels of insight and stigma. This revealed significant differences between subgroups in psychosocial variables such as depression, quality of life, and global patient functioning. The results confirm an "insight paradox," where greater insight may be associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes in the presence of significant internalized stigma. These findings underscore the need for clinical interventions aimed at reducing stigma and enhancing the psychosocial well-being of individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders.