PSYCHIATRIC STIGMA AND DEHUMANISATION OF SCHIZOPHRENIA AND CANNABIS USE DISORDER (original) (raw)
Related papers
2016
Stigmatisation towards individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ individuals) remains an important problem, yet few studies to date have examined a theoretically comprehensive set of predictors of stigmatisation. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of stigmatisation towards SZ individuals in the Belgian general population in order to better understand its underlying factors. A sample of 544 participants completed online questionnaires assessing common stereotypes regarding schizophrenia, desired social distance, level of contact and the Behaviours from Intergroup Affect and Stereotypes map (Cuddy et al., 2007). On average, most respondents believed SZ individuals are unpredictable and have a poor prognosis. Around 10% believed that they are dangerous. The most frequently reported emotions were pity and fear. Around 65% of the sample indicated that they would have positive behavioural reactions (passive/active facilitation). Around 33% of the sample indicated that they would distance themselves from SZ individuals, and around 20% would flee if in contact with a SZ individual. Fear and stereotypes of dangerousness and incompetence best predicted these fleeing and avoiding reactions. Fear was also explained by stereotypes of dangerousness and unpredictability. These factors should be accounted for when developing anti-stigma campaigns. The effect of contact should be further investigated.
Psychiatrist 2011 35(4):135-139, 2011
The term 'stigma' was popularised in the social sciences by Erving Goffman, 1 who used it to refer to 'an attribute that is deeply discrediting'. The author noticed, however, that 'a language of relationships, not attributes is really needed' and he emphasised the dynamic process of the social construction of stigma. Strictly speaking, in Goffman's formulation, stigma 'is really a special kind of relationship between attribute and stereotype'. For practical reasons, however, Goffman often spoke about stigma as if it were an attribute, because there are important attributes that are discrediting in all contexts. One typical example is mental illness. Although societal reactions to some attributes, such as obesity, show substantial variability across time and across cultures, mental illness seems to be associated with a stigma that is universal and less dependent on historical or cultural contingencies. 2 The review of the studies conducted in recent years confirms unequivocally that stigmatisation of people receiving psychiatric treatment is a common, transcultural phenomenon, and mental illness is still a strong socially excluding condition. 3-5 A large body of research indicates that stigma may exert numerous detrimental effects on people with mental disorders, limiting their life opportunities and leading to diminished self-esteem and self-efficacy, compromised quality of life and non-adherence to treatment. 3,6 ORIGINAL PAPERS Świtaj et al Stigma among people with schizophrenia, depression and malignancies
Recent research on the impact of stigmatization on schizophrenia
The labels of mental health disorders have brought about fear and prejudice against schizophrenia sufferers. Sufferers with schizophrenia mental health disorder are particularly stigmatized as dangerous and unpredictable. The intergroup are at the fore front of this belief. Researches are being undertaken to investigate further the relationship between intergroup contact and avoidance of schizophrenia sufferers. Some research discoveries have shown that schizophrenia sufferers are facing a challenging and stigmatization as a result of their specific mental illness. Furthermore, research has shown that because prejudice varies according to diagnostic labels among people with mental illness, people with schizophrenia disorder are considered particularly dangerous and unpredictable (Crisp, Goddard, & Meltzer (2005), and particularly suffer from severe prejudice.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2002
s Abstract Background A series of surveys were conducted to assess the attitudes of the public, and other groups, toward those with schizophrenia. The aim of these surveys was to aid in the planning and evaluation of the WPA anti-stigma initiative in Alberta, Canada. Method A questionnaire was devised and administered via telephone to over 1,200 individuals in three Alberta cities, and in paper and pencil format to 40 members of the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta and 67 medical students. Results In contrast to some earlier findings, "loss of mind" was rated to be more disabling than any other handicapping condition. In general, respondents showed a relatively sophisticated understanding of schizophrenia and a higher level of acceptance than might have been predicted. Nonetheless, this acceptance was not as high for situations where closer personal contact was likely, and fears of dangerousness continue to be associated with schizophrenia. The majority of respondents, however, felt that treatment aided those with schizophrenia, expressed support for progressive programmes for the mentally ill, and stated that they would be willing to pay higher taxes so that programming could be improved. Conclusions The results do not support the utility of a broad approach for an anti-stigma campaign, but rather suggest a more specific focus, such as perceived dangerousness. s
Stigmatization of patients suffering from schizophrenia
Collegium antropologicum, 2011
For the general public, but also for healthcare professionals, schizophrenia is still one of those areas of medicine connected with feelings of unease, fear and prejudice. These feelings lead to stigmatization and discrimination which are unjust processes which put patients suffering from mental illnesses into undesirable and unequal positions. Aim of this research was to establish the extent of stigmatization of mentally ill patients among the population of healthcare professionals and future healthcare professionals and if they differ from general population. Results show that stigmatization of schizophrenic patients is high among all included populations. Although there were no statistical differences between groups regarding the assessment of schizophrenic patients, nurses employed in psychiatric wards exhibited a tendency towards higher acceptance of schizophrenic patients, as well as better understanding of that illness. This data emphasizes a growing need for continuous educa...
Socijalna psihijatrija, 2021
Uz teškoće u svakodnevnom djelovanju zbog simptoma svojih bolesti psihički bolesnici se moraju suočiti i s osjećajem odbačenosti od drugih ljudi, a sve zbog straha od njihovih nepredvidivih reakcija. Cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrditi razlike u znanjima i stavovima o stigmatizaciji psihičkih bolesnika u odnosu na vrstu zanimanja (zdravstveni, nezdravstveni djelatnici i psihijatrijsko osoblje), razinu obrazovanja (osnovno-srednjoškolsko obrazovanje, dodiplomska i sveučilišna diploma), spol i psihijatrijski hereditet u obitelji. Na uzorku od 243 ispitanika [namjernog uzorka zdravstvenih radnika (23,4%), nezdravstvenih radnika (49%) i psihijatrijskog osoblja (27,6%)], heterogenih prema sociodemografskim obilježjima) ispitani su znanje i stavovi prema psihičkim bolesnicima. U istraživanju je primijenjena Revidirana ljestvica za mjerenje stavova prema psihičkim bolesnicima izrađena prema ljestvici Ljetne škole studenata psihologije 2003. te Ljestvica znanja o psihičkim bolesnicima (SZPB) preuzeta iz istraživanja Jokić-Begić, Kamenov, Lauri Korajlija, 2005. Rezultati su pokazali da psihijatrijsko osoblje ima veće znanje o karakteristikama mentalno oboljelih pojedinaca, liječenju te o nastanku mentalnih bolesti od zdravstvenog i nezdravstvenog osoblja, a kod muškaraca samo od zdravstvenih radnika. Nezdravstveno i zdravstveno osoblje više od psihijatrijskog osoblja vjeruje da su s njima poželjni neposredni kontakti, osim kod muškaraca gdje nisu pronađene razlike. Obrazovaniji ispitanici imaju veće znanje o psihičkim bolestima i smatraju u većoj mjeri da su psihički bolesnici radno sposobni i ugodni, kao i da su s njima poželjni neposredni kontakti. Manje obrazovani ispitanici u većoj mjeri vjeruju da psihički bolesnici zaslužuju poštovanje i suosjećanje kao ravnopravni članovi društva. Značajne su razlike dobivene između ispitanika sa psihološkim hereditetom i bez psihijatrijskog herediteta u odnosu na jedan od aspekata stava. Ispitanici bez psihijatrijskog herediteta smatraju da osobe sa psihičkom bolesti zaslužuju više poštovanja i suosjećanja. Rezultati pružaju okvirne smjernice potrebne za oblikovanje procesa destigmatizacije psihičkih bolesnika u populaciji zdravstvenih i nezdravstvenih stručnjaka, kao i osobama različitog stupnja obrazovanja, posebno onima koji rade s mentalno oboljelim pacijentima ili stupaju s njima u kontakt nakon hospitalizacije. / With functional problems resulting from the symptoms of their illness, people with mental illness also face the feeling of being rejected by other people, partly because of the fear of their specific and unpredictable reactions. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in knowledge and attitudes regarding psychiatric patients affecting their stigmatization, with respect to the type of employment (health and non-health professionals and psychiatric personnel), level of education (elementary and secondary school, undergraduate degree, university degree), gender, and psychiatric heredity in the family. We used a sample of 243 respondents (intentional sample of health (23.4%), non-health professionals (49%), and psychiatric personnel (27.6%), heterogeneous by socio-demographic characteristics) to examine knowledge and attitudes towards individuals with mental illness using appropriate measuring instruments. The Revised Scale for Measuring Attitudes toward Mental Patients, developed according to the scale of the Summer School of Psychology
Impact and Origin of Stigma and Discrimination in Schizophrenia: Patient Perceptions
Stigma Research and Action, 2011
Purpose: Stigma and discrimination faced by patients with schizophrenia are the most important barriers to accessing care and can result in long treatment delays. Stigma is universal but the nature, source, and impact of stigma varies across cultures and regions. Thus, interventions need to be specific. This study assessed the perceptions of patients with schizophrenia regarding the stigma and discrimination they face in their lives. The main determinants and sources of stigma, as well as the nature of and forms of stigma were of interest. Methods: Opinions on various aspects of stigma were obtained using a semi-structured interview. One hundred patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, who were attending a psycho-education group in a hospital setting in Mumbai, India, were surveyed. Results: The stigma and discrimination linked to schizophrenia was found to have a significant impact on the lives of these individuals. From the patient perspective, a lack of knowledge, the nature of the illness itself, and behavioral symptoms were seen as the main reasons for stigma and discrimination. Common effects of stigma were low self-esteem and discrimination in family and work settings. Providing care and treatment was identified as the most common method of combating stigma. The availability of effective treatment was thought to be the most important method of reducing stigma, which will certainly aid in the access of mental health care for patients globally. Conclusions: The stigma associated with schizophrenia represents a challenge for effective mental health care. The solution for minimizing this stigma through anti-stigma programs is essential and necessitates the collection and analysis of complex information, particularly including patient perceptions. Implications: Dealing with stigma should be part of treatment and psycho-educational programs. Better treatment and rehabilitation for the illness and its symptoms is important, but so is educating members of the community, who are viewed as the primary source of stigma and discrimination.
Extent and predictors of stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia
European Psychiatry, 2009
BackgroundSchizophrenia is regarded as one of the most stigmatized mental illnesses. Relatively few studies have investigated actual stigma experiences among people with schizophrenia and the factors which may contribute to it.AimsThis cross-sectional study assesses the extent of stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia and attempts to establish its clinical and sociodemographic predictors.MethodsA total of 153 subjects with schizophrenia (62 outpatients and 91 inpatients) were evaluated with the use of the Stigma section of the Consumer Experiences of Stigma Questionnaire (CESQ) and several instruments measuring their subjective quality of life, social functioning and severity of psychiatric symptoms.ResultsStigmatization experiences were common among respondents who most frequently reported having concealed their illness (86%), witnessed others saying offensive things about the mentally ill (69%), worried about being viewed unfavorably (63%) and been treated as less compe...
Patterns of stigma toward schizophrenia among the general population: A latent profile analysis
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2013
Objective: Our purpose was to assess stigma toward schizophrenia in a representative sample of the Brazilian general population. Methods: The sample consisted of 1015 individuals interviewed by telephone. A vignette describing someone with schizophrenia was read, and four stigma aspects regarding this hypothetical individual were assessed: stereotypes, restrictions, perceived prejudice and social distance. Latent profile analysis searched for stigma profiles among the sample. Multinomial logistic regression was used to find correlates of each class. Results: Four stigma profiles were found; 'no stigma' individuals (n = 251) mostly displayed positive opinions. 'Labelers' (n = 222) scored high on social distance; they more often had familial contact with mental illness and more often labeled the vignette's disorder as schizophrenia. 'Discriminators', the group with the majority of individuals (n = 302), showed high levels of stigmatizing beliefs in all dimensions; discriminators were significantly older. 'Unobtrusive stigma' individuals (n = 240) seemed to demonstrate uncertainty or low commitment since they mostly answered items with the middle/ impartial option. Conclusion: Some findings from the international literature were replicated; however, familial contact increased stigma, possibly denoting a locally modulated determinant. Hereby, our study also adds important cross-cultural data by showing that stigma toward schizophrenia is high in a Latin-American setting. We highlight the importance of analyzing the general population as a heterogeneous group, aiming to better elaborate anti-stigma campaigns.