Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
Evidence for effective interventions to reduce mental health-related stigma and discrimination in the medium and long term: systematic review
- Authors:
- MEHTA N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 207(5), 2015, pp.377-384.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: Most research on interventions to counter stigma and discrimination has focused on short-term outcomes and has been conducted in high-income settings. Aims: To synthesise what is known globally about effective interventions to reduce mental illness-based stigma and discrimination, in relation first to effectiveness in the medium and long term (minimum 4 weeks), and second to interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method: Searches were conducted on six databases from 1980 to 2013 and a multi-language Google search was carried out for quantitative studies addressing the research questions. Effect sizes were calculated from eligible studies where possible, and narrative syntheses conducted. Subgroup analysis compared interventions with and without social contact. Results: Eighty studies (n = 422 653) were included in the review. For studies with medium or long-term follow-up (72, of which 21 had calculable effect sizes) median standardised mean differences were 0.54 for knowledge and −0.26 for stigmatising attitudes. Those containing social contact (direct or indirect) were not more effective than those without. The 11 LMIC studies were all from middle-income countries. Effect sizes were rarely calculable for behavioural outcomes or in LMIC studies. Conclusions: There is modest evidence for the effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions beyond 4 weeks follow-up in terms of increasing knowledge and reducing stigmatising attitudes. Evidence does not support the view that social contact is the more effective type of intervention for improving attitudes in the medium to long term. Methodologically strong research is needed on which to base decisions on investment in stigma-reducing interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Modeling the relationships between discrimination, depression, substance use, and spirituality with Muslims in the United States
- Authors:
- HODGE David R., ZIDAN Tarek, HUSAIN Altaf
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 39(4), 2015, pp.223-233.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Little research has been conducted with Muslims despite the growing size of this population in the United States. This study addresses this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between discrimination and two consequential health outcomes—depression and substance use—in tandem with the protective effects of spirituality on these two outcomes. Drawing from stress and coping theory, a theoretically based model was developed and tested using structural equation modelling with a diverse community sample of Muslims (N = 265). The results indicate that discrimination predicts depression, but not substance use. Spirituality does not function as a mediator but rather exhibits a direct, independent effect on both depression and substance use. The findings underscore the importance of addressing discrimination directed toward Muslims. The results also imply that spirituality may play a critical role in helping Muslims ameliorate depression and substance use in direct practice settings. (Publisher abstract)