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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.
Challenging the stigma of mental illness
- Authors:
- CORRIGAN Patrick, ROE David, TSANG Hector
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 224p.
- Place of publication:
- Chichester
The authors seek to provide a practical text grounded in the experience and narratives of those who have struggled with the impact of the stigma of mental illness. They offer strategies for addressing the harmful effects of stigma attached to mental illness. In doing so they consider both major forms of stigma: public stigma, which is prejudice and discrimination endorsed by the general population; and self-stigma, the loss of self-esteem and efficacy that occurs when an individual internalises prejudice and discrimination. The book contains practical worksheets and intervention guidelines to facilitate the implementation of specific anti-stigma approaches. It is aimed at professionals and volunteers working in any capacity to challenge discrimination against mental illness.
Mental health stigma about serious mental illness among MSW students: social contact and attitude
- Authors:
- COVARRUBIAS Irene, HAN Meekyung
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 56(4), October 2011, pp.317-325.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Stigma is experienced in all cultures, and stigmatic attitudes towards those living with mental illnesses are prevalent among the general US population. This study investigated the attitudes toward and beliefs about serious mental illness (SMI) held by a group of graduate social work students in the north western United States. Stigma was examined with relation to the following factors: participants' level of social contact with SMI populations; adherence to stereotypes about SMI populations; belief in the ability to recover from SMI; and the belief that SMI defines an individual's identity. Seventy one surveys with graduate social work students found that a significant number of participants who engaged in friendships with SMI-diagnosed individuals had less desire for social distance from and restrictions toward SMI populations. Participants who indicated that they believed in stereotypes of dangerousness and believed that SMI defines an individual's identity were more likely to express desire for both social distance and restrictions. The authors concluded that schools of social work interested in the reduction of stigma may benefit from using interventions that aim to decrease stereotypes of dangerousness and challenge the belief that identity is connected to SMI diagnosis.
Digital stories: challenging stigma, changing attitudes
- Author:
- HODDER Shelly
- Journal article citation:
- Open Mind, 168, September 2011, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- MIND
Mind Cymru's digital stories project creates short films of people's personal stories to help document their lives and challenge stigma. Feedback from participants highlights the benefits of the project.
Public perceptions, knowledge and stigma towards people with schizophrenia
- Authors:
- SMITH Valerie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 10(1), 2011, pp.45-56.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness, and a significant portion of the general public holds stigmatising attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. Using questionnaires to gather information from undergraduates attending a school in the southwest United States, this study aimed to examine the perceptions and attitudes of young non-professionals towards people with schizophrenia. The article presents analysis of the results of the survey, undertaken with 330 undergraduates (approximate average age 23 years) during the 2007 academic year. The findings were that those with higher knowledge about schizophrenia and family members with schizophrenia reported higher levels of tolerance. However, participants with a family member diagnosed with mental illness reported less social distance comfort to persons with schizophrenia as opposed to those without mental illness in the family. Gender differences indicated that women held more tolerant attitudes toward schizophrenia than men.
Battling in the trenches: case managers’ ability to combat the effects of mental illness stigma on consumers’ perceived quality of life
- Authors:
- KONDRAT David C., EARLY Theresa J.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 47(4), August 2011, pp.390-398.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Self-stigma is a reality for many consumers that negatively impacts their lives. Case managers, themselves, are a potential source of autocorrelation and likely provide services differently. This study explores the relationship between self-stigma and quality of life for service users receiving services from different case managers. Cross-sectional data were collected from 160 service users of an urban case management agency. Self-stigma was negatively associated with quality of life. Case managers did not account for a significant amount of variance in quality of life scores. However, the interaction between case manager and self-stigma was significant. Some case managers were able to mitigate the negative effects of self-stigma on quality of life. Future effectiveness research in community mental health case management needs to account for the effects of self-stigma, case managers, and the interaction between the two in the research design.
More to it than stigma: the multiple ways young people make sense of mental illness
- Author:
- LINDLEY Emma
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, May 2011, pp.29-33.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Data from a qualitative study is presented that explored how secondary school pupils make sense of mental illness. A group 10 pupils aged 14-15 took part in a programme of activities over a school year, which included group discussions and workshops. The study also assessed how talking about mental health with peers may impact on young people's understanding of the subject. The study found that young people's understanding of mental illness is complex. Issues discussed include: language used to discuss mental health; the tension experienced by doing the right thing and doing what others do; difficulties in dealing with, and attitudes towards, behaviour that is unfamiliar. The article concludes by calling for a recognition of this complexity in any anti-stigma education.
Stigmatization of overweight and obese individuals: implications for mental health promotion
- Author:
- ICKES Melinda J.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 13(3), August 2011, pp.37-45.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this review is to help guide those working with overweight and obese individuals to understand more fully stigmatisation and the role it may play in their approach to treatment. In the United States obesity has been described as an epidemic, with approximately 72.5 million adults classified as obese. However despite the increasing prevalence of obesity, stigmatisation of obese individuals has not decreased; widespread stereotype of and negative attitude toward overweight and obese individuals continues. The author suggests that stigmatisation of these individuals has led to discrimination, as well as feelings of shame and guilt. Although much has been written about obesity, the goals for prevention, and strategies for behaviour change, there are few guidelines for practitioners who are working with overweight and obese individuals to help them minimise the effects stigma might have on overall mental health and consequent behaviour change strategies.
See beyond our labels: YoungMinds briefing on young people's views about mental health
- Author:
- YOUNGMINDS
- Publisher:
- YoungMinds
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing is based on the results of the first, large scale survey of 2,629 children and young people aged 9-25 years about mental health and the stigma they face. It summarises the key findings. Five graphs are included which analyse the results of the five questions covering attitudes toward mental health problems. Key recommendations are presented, and include, tackling stigma and changing attitudes; developing knowledge and understanding
Campaign appears to influence subjective experience of stigma
- Authors:
- SCHNEIDER Justine, BEELEY Chris, REPPER Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 20(1), 2011, pp.89-97.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Between September 2007 and Mental Health Awareness Week in October 2009, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust in England conducted an anti-stigma campaign. It hoped to reduce the general public’s stereotyped attitudes to mental health problems and mental health service users. The campaign's rationale was based on social contact theory, which holds that bringing together 2 groups can reduce inter-group hostility. This study evaluates the campaign's impact on removing barriers to service users’ employment, promoting recovery and social inclusion, reducing the incidence of discrimination, as well as dissipating stereotyped attitudes and self-stigma. Factor analysis of questionnaires returned by 243 service users revealed 3 key factors referring to service users’ perceptions of: public attitudes to mental health; service users’ relationships with staff; and other interpersonal relationships. Service users’ perceptions of public attitudes towards mental health were improved, suggesting a short term, successful outcome from the main thrust of the campaign. However, there was no significant effect on the other 2 factors. The authors conclude that certain aspects of stigma associated with mental health may be changed through targeted strategies and community-level interventions. But, there remains an intractable core of stigma experiences associated with interpersonal relationships with family and staff, discrimination and social interactions. Bullying, harassment and assault can occur. These hard core issues present the greatest challenge to future anti-stigma strategies.