Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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The role of shame in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Authors:
- KEEN Nadine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(2), 2017, pp.115-129.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: To examine the role of shame and its relationship to depression in schizophrenia. It was predicted that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia would exhibit higher levels of shame due to the stigma associated with their diagnosis, independently of depression levels, compared with psychiatric and medical control groups. Design: Cross-sectional design with three groups: individuals with a diagnosis of (1) schizophrenia, (2) depression, and (3) rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Sixty individuals participated in the study (20 per group). Groups were compared on questionnaires assessing external shame, trait shame and guilt, and depression. Results: The pattern of group differences depended on the type of shame measure used. Both the schizophrenia and depression groups exhibited higher levels of external shame, or seeing others as shaming, than the medical group. For individuals with schizophrenia, seeing others as shaming was associated with higher levels of depression, a relationship not found in either control group. They also showed lower levels of trait guilt and shame (at trend level), compared with both control groups. No difference was found between the groups on depression, suggesting that the observed differences were not attributable to differences in levels of depression. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of shame in schizophrenia, especially the link between seeing other people as shaming and depression, which was unique to this group. These results suggest that stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness, and schizophrenia in particular, has negative emotional consequences that may impede recovery, and should be addressed by psychological and social interventions. (Publisher abstract)
Using participatory video to challenge the stigma of mental illness: a case study
- Authors:
- BUCHANAN Avril, MURRAY Michael
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 14(1), 2012, pp.35-43.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Despite advances in the treatment of different forms of mental ill health, it continues to attract substantial stigmatisation, with public attitudes being increasingly negative. While reviews have highlighted the extensive research on the nature of this stigma, there is limited work on the development of strategies to challenge the stigma. The aim of this case study was to examine the potential of researchers and mental health service users (MHSUs) working collaboratively to identify the main problems the service users experience in their everyday lives and to produce a video challenging the negative image of mental ill health. Discussions were held with volunteers involved in a mental health media action group; all volunteers had been or were currently MHSU. These discussions identified a variety of problems including difficulties in everyday social interaction and negative portrayal of mental ill health in the media. A short video was developed with volunteers summarising the issues they had raised: this was subsequently shown to a wider audience. The MHSUs reported considerable personal benefits of participation in the project. The paper discusses these findings and the process of producing the video.
Stigmatised attitudes towards the ‘stressed’ or ‘ill’ models of mental illness
- Authors:
- LUTY Jason, EASOW Joby Maducolil, MENDES Vania
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatrist (The), 35(10), October 2011, pp.370-373.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
Tackling discrimination, stigma and inequalities in mental health is a major objective of the UK government. This aim of this research was to determine whether there was any difference in stigmatised attitudes towards a fictitious person with a mental illness who was presented either as having a biological illness or a disorder that arose from psychosocial stress to two randomised representative panels of the general public. The 20-point Attitude to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to assess stigmatised attitudes. The two groups were presented with slightly different vignettes describing “Tim” and then asked to complete the questionnaire. Overall, 187 individuals returned their questionnaires (74% response rate). The mean AMIQ stigma score for the ‘ill’ group was 1.4; for the ‘stress’ group was 0.5. The authors conclude that there was no statistical or practical difference in the stigmatised attitudes towards a person with mental illness regardless of whether they were presented as biologically ill or as having an illness that was a response to psychosocial stress. Some limitations of the study are noted: the self-selecting participants, the possibility of social desirability bias and whether the values expressed would be enduring.
The Stigma Scale: a Canadian perspective
- Authors:
- MEIER Amanda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 39(4), 2015, pp.213-222.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Stigma is a devastating psychosocial issue for many individuals with mental illness. This study examined the mental illness stigma experiences of 380 individuals with a self-reported psychiatric diagnosis in London, Ontario, Canada, using the Stigma Scale, a tool recently developed in the United Kingdom (UK). Data for the Canadian sample were examined and compared with those from the UK pilot group. Results indicated that both samples experienced mental illness stigma, with Canadian participants reporting fewer stigma experiences on close to half of the scale items. In general, the results suggested that antistigma efforts have achieved some successes, particularly for targeted recipient groups; however, the need remains for continued and varied methods of stigma reduction to eliminate stigma within society. (Publisher abstract)
Student filmmakers' attitudes towards mental illness and its cinematic representation - an evaluation of a training intervention for film students
- Authors:
- DALE Jenny, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 23(1), 2014, pp.4-8.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Government strategy for mental health places tackling stigma as a main priority. National initiatives have attempted to tackle stigma by challenging negative media reporting and the use of stereotyped representations of mental illness, with mixed results. Educational interventions have attempted to address stigmatising attitudes in young people but no studies have explored the value of such interventions for film students. Aims: The study aimed to assess the value of a lecture-based training intervention designed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of student filmmakers towards mental illness and its cinematic representation. Method: A self-report questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention, which measured the knowledge and attitudes of the subjects. Results: 32 out of 54 students (59.3%) showed statistically significant improvement in attitudes and knowledge overall, although this was less marked in responses to the attitudinal subset questions compared with knowledge-based questions. Feedback was positive. Conclusions: The training session was successful in its aims for most but not all students. The intervention is reproducible but further work needs to be done to clarify how best to influence attitudes and behaviour as well as knowledge. (Publisher abstract)
Scoping review on mental health anti stigma and discrimination: current activities and what works: executive summary
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Mental Health in England
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 8p.
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
An executive summary of a review that aims to bring together pockets of expertise and experience about what works most effectively in changing people’s attitudes and behaviour towards mental health issues. It describes types of research evidence, principles underpinning initiatives and an overview of activities included in the review.
Validation of a short instrument to measure stigmatised attitudes towards mental illness
- Authors:
- LUTY Jason, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 30(7), July 2006, pp.257-260.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
One of the steps to change stigmatised attitudes involves identifying the concerns of people whose attitude is to be changed. This paper presents the Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), a short instrument aimed at systematically obtaining this information, and examines the feasibility, test–retest reliability as well as face and construct validity of the AMIQ on the UK general public. A postal survey of a random sample of 1079 adults was conducted. A self-reported questionnaire with 5-point Likert scale responses was validated in response to short fictional vignettes. A second subsample of 256 was used for a reliability test. The AMIQ is a short instrument with good psychometric properties. It shows good stability, test–retest reliability, alternative test reliability, face, construct and criterion validity. The self-selecting sample of 1079 UK adults showed highly stigmatised attitudes to people with addictive disorders but more positive attitudes to those with depression or self-harm. Results from a smaller follow-up sample showed that attitudes towards people with alcohol dependence and schizophrenia were intermediate. The AMIQ can be used in various medical and mental health stigma research and intervention settings.
Dismissed on the basis of my diagnosis: policy implications of research on community support for people with complex emotional needs
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 14
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing draws together evidence from six published studies on community services for complex emotional needs. People living with 'complex emotional needs' or who are diagnosed with 'personality disorder' have for a long time found themselves excluded, marginalised and subject to discrimination in all aspects of life, including from health and care services. The paper highlights clear evidence that people with complex emotional needs experience stigmatising treatment, fragmented services and a lack of support. Many mental health practitioners demonstrate negative views of people with complex emotional needs. And as a result, people too often either receive poor quality treatment or are turned away from services. The briefing calls for the Government and NHS to review current services and to set out plans for improving community-based support for people with complex emotional needs, and ensure non-stigmatising, holistic, intersectional and sustained help is on offer in all areas. It also calls for improved training across the board for all professionals responsible for supporting people with complex emotional needs, and for gaps in the evidence base to be a top priority for research funders to address. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health and loneliness: the relationship across life stages
- Author:
- NATCEN SOCIAL RESEARCH
- Publisher:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents the findings from a qualitative study exploring the experiences of loneliness among those who had experienced a mental health condition. Specifically, the study explores: how those with diagnosed mental health problems experience loneliness; the extent to which social stigma associated with mental health conditions plays a role in experience of loneliness; how experiences of loneliness among those who have experienced mental health conditions vary by life stage. The report draws on findings from: 1) six interviews with professional expert stakeholders; and 2) 37 in-depth interviews and 14 diaries from those experiencing loneliness who also had a history of mental ill-health. Across the sample there was a spectrum of experiences of loneliness. Those who were most lonely described feeling isolated, with no close friends or supportive others. Participants in this group tended to have depression and be in the middle-aged or retired life stages. At the other end of the spectrum, the least lonely people were those with a wider social network, including close connections who provided emotional support. The relationship between loneliness and mental health was bidirectional and cyclical. Stigma associated with mental ill-health and loneliness clearly affected participants' ability to be open about their feelings, leading them to also feel less connected to others. Participants made a number of recommendations about the way in which support could be improved. These were to: provide more local and tailored mental health support services in place of more generic online resources that participants found hard to navigate; support group activities in communities around shared interests, including those tailored to personal characteristics e.g. faith, disability, gender, or sexual orientation; provide mental health support that reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation organised around shared interests in activities; establish community-based caseworkers who can help people navigate complex mental health services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Locked down and drinking? Are more people self-identifying as having mental health difficulties alongside their drinking via an online platform?
- Authors:
- CALCAN Angela, HOLMES Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Dual Diagnosis, 14(3), 2021, pp.159-166.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to offer a viewpoint on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people’s engagement with an online alcohol service in the UK. This paper examines whether self-reported mental health concerns increased during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times. Design/methodology/approach: A comparison was made between service data captured in one contract area – West Sussex, England – pre-pandemic (April 2019 to March 2020) and during pandemic (April 2020 to March 2021). Findings: Self-reported mental health treatment needs increased during the pandemic period (71.2% of presentations compared to 50% pre-pandemic) via the online coaching service. Male referrals increased by 74% during the pandemic period compared to the previous year. Female referrals decreased by 4% in the same time period. Feelings of shame and guilt as well as loss of a confidential space to engage in online interventions were common concerns reported by service users. Research limitations/implications: Research limitations include the relatively small sample size, the sample comprised of self-referred treatment seeking clients, and there was no control group. All data collected is self-report therefore subjective and not necessarily meeting diagnostic criteria. Practical implications: Of note was the impact of the pandemic on women and their reduced access to the online service during the pandemic. Commissioners and services must adapt their service design and delivery alongside the new “normal” way of living and working. Routine screening of mental health and alcohol use are recommended. Originality/value: This paper offers insight from an established online/digital service and the impact of the pandemic on people’s engagement with the service. (Edited publisher abstract)