Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Factors associated with experienced discrimination among people using mental health services in England
- Authors:
- HAMILTON S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 25(4), 2016, pp.350-358.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Research has found considerable variation in how far individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness experience discrimination. Aims: This study tested four hypotheses: (i) a diagnosis of schizophrenia will be associated with more discrimination than depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder; (ii) people with a history of involuntary treatment will report more discrimination than people without; (iii) higher levels of avoidance behaviour due to anticipated discrimination will be associated with higher levels of discrimination and (iv) longer time in contact with services will be associated with higher levels of discrimination. Method: Three thousand five hundred and seventy-nine people using mental health services in England took part in structured telephone interviews about discrimination experiences. Results: A multiple regression model found that study year, age, employment status, length of time in mental health services, disagreeing with the diagnosis, anticipating discrimination in personal relationships and feeling the need to conceal a diagnosis from others were significantly associated with higher levels of experienced discrimination. Conclusion: Findings suggest that discrimination is not related to specific diagnoses but rather is associated with mental health problems generally. An association between unemployment and discrimination may indicate that employment protects against experiences of discrimination, supporting efforts to improve access to employment among people with a diagnosis of mental illness. (Publisher abstract)
Legislative scrutiny: Mental Health Bill: fourth report of session 2006-07: report, together with formal minutes and appendices
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Parliament. Joint Committee on Human Rights
- Publisher:
- Stationery Office
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 86p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The report by the joint committee on human rights warned people who do not have a mental illness could be sectioned despite posing no risk to others or themselves. MPs and peers argued the mental health bill, which has already had one defeat in the House of Lords, is flawed because the government’s proposed legal definition of illness is too wide. It warned people with conditions such as gender dysphoria - uncertainty about their gender – or transsexuals could be detained under the act. The bill proposes to change the grounds for a person's detention from 'a true mental disorder' to 'any disorder or disability of mind'. This could result in discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and sexual identity. The report also raised concern that a duty nurse or social worker could be enough to extend someone's detention.
New perspectives and approaches to understanding dementia and stigma: a compendium of essays
- Editors:
- BAMFORD Sally-Marie, HOLLEY-MOORE George, WATSON Jessica
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 62
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines the social stigma which surrounds dementia, highlighting that stigma is impeding early diagnosis, care and research into the disease. The report, published by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) in collaboration with the MRC, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the drug company Pfizer, discusses the impact the fear around dementia has on those living with the condition, their families and carers, which prevents the research community from capturing a full picture of the disease. According to data in the report, people over the age of 55 fear being diagnosed with dementia more than any other condition and at least 1 in 4 people hide their diagnosis, citing stigma as the reason. The issue of stigma is widely acknowledged as a serious challenge for people with dementia and their carers at the individual, family and societal level, and serves as a barrier to access care, support and treatment. The report considers the causes of stigma and explore this from a multidisciplinary perspective. After holding a high level discussion in the House of Lords, the themes that emerged were explored in this compendium, with contributions from across academia, the public and private sector and the voluntary sector. (Edited publisher abstract)
The most savage insult: exposing the damage caused by the borderline personality disorder label
- Authors:
- SHAW Clare, SHULKES Debra
- Journal article citation:
- Open Mind, 163, November 2010, pp.10-13.
- Publisher:
- MIND
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) aligns personality disorders with enduring, inflexible, socially deviant styles of thought and behaviour. Since being introduced to the DSM in 1980 borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis has been criticised for several reasons including its lack of scientific reliability and validity; its biased construction, which pathologises the coping strategies and options of particular populations such as women; its inequitable patterns of diagnosis, 75% of those diagnosed are women at least 70% of whom were sexually abused as children; its overwhelming stigma; and its use as a punitive dust-bin diagnosis for those judged to be ‘bad’ patients because they are troublemakers or have failed to ‘respond’ to treatment. With reference to a case history, the authors argue that the diagnosis of BPD is causing extensive damage to the people it is supposed to help. It is leading to bad practice in services rather than meaningful support.
Evaluating treatment outcomes for African American and white clients receiving treatment at a community mental health agency in the rural South
- Authors:
- LARRISON Christopher R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 14(3), May 2004, pp.137-146.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The present study examines the relationship between race and treatment outcomes among clients receiving services at a community mental health agency in the rural southeastern United States. A nonprobabilistic sample of clients completed the BASIS-32, a self-report summated rating scale, at an initial assessment and a series of three follow-up assessments conducted at 3-month intervals. The data were analyzed using a hierarchical linear model (HLM) consisting of an individual growth model and a between-client model examining possible differences in growth trajectories attributable to race, diagnosis, socioeconomic status, and gender. Clients’ symptomatology remained stable or decreased during the study period. Of the demographic variables examined, only diagnosis was significantly related to variation in treatment outcomes. No racial differences in treatment outcomes emerged. Although the findings must be considered preliminary, they do suggest that community mental health agencies can effectively respond to various ethnic, cultural, and racial groups by providing appropriate and individualized services.
'People don't understand': an investigation of stigma in schizophrenia using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
- Authors:
- KNIGHT Matthew T. D., WYKES Til, HAYWARD Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 12(3), June 2003, pp.209-222.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Recent investigations provide evidence of stigma against people with a diagnosis of mental illness. The purpose of this study was to provide an account of the life experiences of persons with schizophrenia. Focusing on the individuals' personal reports of events and situations, the issues of stigmatisation and discrimination were explored. Six participants were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule focusing on the areas of personal history, understanding of schizophrenia, social and medical contextualisation, and reflection on impact. The research was conducted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Super-ordinate themes of judgement, comparison, and personal understanding of the (mental health) issue emerged. Stigma was evident both as public-stigma and as self-stigma. The ramifications of stigma and discrimination are enduring and potentially disabling. IPA is a constructive tool in exploring these issues.
Black over-representation: unwanted inheritance
- Author:
- HARRIS Vernon
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 23.2.95, 1995, p.5.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The mental health theory which suggests that schizophrenia is inherited poses a particular threat to black and minority ethnic people due to its contentious application in the area of race and intelligence. Looks at the ethical issues.
Stigma: the feelings and experiences of 46 people with mental illness: qualitative study
- Authors:
- DINOS Sokratis, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 184(2), February 2004, pp.176-181.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Stigma defines people in terms of some distinguishing characteristic and devalues them as a consequence. The aim was to describe the relationship of stigma with mental illness, psychiatric diagnosis, treatment and its consequences of stigma for the individual. Narrative interviews were conducted by trained users of the local mental health services; 46 patients were recruited from community and day mental health services in North London. Stigma was a pervasive concern to almost all participants. People with psychosis or drug dependence were most likely to report feelings and experiences of stigma and were most affected by them. Those with depression, anxiety and personality disorders were more affected by patronising attitudes and feelings of stigma even if they had not experienced any overt discrimination. However, experiences were not universally negative. Stigma may influence how a psychiatric diagnosis is accepted, whether treatment will be adhered to and how people with mental illness function in the world. However, perceptions of mental illness and diagnoses can be helpful and non-stigmatising for some patients.