Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Deconstructing patterns of stigma toward people living with mental illness
- Authors:
- HO Andy Hau Yan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 42(4), 2018, pp.302-312.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The adverse effects of stigma on people living with mental illness (PLMI) have been well documented. This study aimed to investigate the latent structure of that stigma. The study respondents included 218 Chinese university students in Hong Kong who completed the Attribution Questionnaire. The latent structure of stigma was examined by factor mixture analysis and psychological correlates. The results supported the two-class, one-factor mixture model under a t distribution. Most of the sample (n = 175; 80.2%) belonged to the low-stigmatizing class, with low to moderate expressions of stigma toward PLMI. Compared with the low-stigmatizing class, the high-stigmatizing class was significantly more likely to be male, not working, and younger and to report significantly higher social distance, personal distress, and empathetic concern. The different group profiles demonstrated a nuanced view of stigma toward PLMI. An appreciation of stigma’s complexity could inform the development of more appropriately tailored psychiatric services and education and advocacy initiatives that foster greater mental health inclusion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reducing mental illness stigma and fostering empathic citizenship: community arts collaborative approach
- Authors:
- RAINBOW T.H.Ho, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 15(4), 2017, pp.469-485.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
An art therapy-informed community arts project to reduce stigma towards people living with mental illness in Hong Kong included three phases: 1) a public exhibition to raise awareness; 2) a workshop for viewers to create response art and generate approaches to alleviate stigma; and 3) a forum for people living with mental illness and viewers to create art and discuss programmatic recommendations. Results suggested that: 1) art exhibits paired with reflection fostered empathy; 2) creating art promoted a wider perspective and initiated dialogue; and 3) collaborative art making facilitated meaningful interaction. These findings offer promising strategies for art and social change. (Publisher abstract)
Effects of school-based interventions on mental health stigmatization: a systematic review
- Authors:
- SCHACHTER Howard M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2(18), 2008, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central
This review focuses on the benefits and harms of school-based interventions directed at individuals aged 18 or younger and designed to prevent or eliminate the stigmatisation of people with mental health problems. Forty relevant studies were identified but were of inadequate quality to provide robust conclusions. Interpretation of this evidence, combined with input from experts of various kinds, suggests that interventions designed to promote the development of empathy and, in turn, an orientation towards social inclusion and inclusiveness, are likely to be the most effective. These need to be contact-based (e.g. with a mother and baby for younger children, and with people experiencing mental health difficulties for older children), and delivered frequently from the earliest years. Curricula need to be developed with children and young people, and the piloting and evaluation of interventions needs to be conducted using gold standard methods, preferably cluster randomised controlled trials.
‘You don’t bring me flowers any more’: an investigation into the experience of stigma by psychiatric in-patients
- Authors:
- BROMLEY Joanna S., CUNNINGHAM Sara J.
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 28(10), October 2004, pp.371-374.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
A structured interview-based questionnaire was used to measure the number of cards and gifts received by 40 people undergoing psychiatric in-patient treatment, compared with an age- and gender-matched group of medical in-patients. The study also assessed the amount of disclosure of admission and diagnosis to family and friends in the two groups. The psychiatric patients received about half as many cards as the medical patients (60 v. 112). Gifts to the psychiatric patients were often practical in nature and seldom included luxury items such as flowers. Disclosure of admission for mental illness (compared with the physical illness group) was significantly lower, both to family members (139 v. 193, P=0.041) and friends (74 v. 332, P=0.0001). The stigma of mental illness is reflected in the secrecy surrounding disclosure of hospital admission and the lack of tokens of support. Clinicians should be aware of the resulting sense of isolation and shame, and the consequences for mental health in view of reduced social networks increasing the risk of future relapse rates. Reduced contact with mentally ill patients has implications for society as a whole in maintaining the status quo of stigma.
'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.
Stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses
- Authors:
- CRISP Arthur H., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 177, July 2000, pp.4-7.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study aimed to determine opinions of the British adult population concerning those with mental illnesses as baseline data for a campaign to combat stigmatisation. Respondents commonly perceived people with schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug addiction as unpredictable and dangerous. The two latter conditions were also viewed as self-inflicted. People with any of the seven disorders were perceived as hard to talk with. Opinions about effects of treatment and prognosis suggested reasonable knowledge. About half the respondents reported knowing someone with a mental illness. Negative opinions indiscriminately overemphasise social handicaps that can accompany mental disorders. They contribute to social isolation, distress and difficulties in employment faced by sufferers.
Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- COUTURE, PENN David L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 12(3), June 2003, pp.291-305.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Stigmatization of mental illness is widespread in Western societies and other cultures. Stigma is detrimental to the well being of persons with mental illness. This can lead to discrimination in housing and employment. It is for these reasons that practitioners have sought methods for reducing stigma. One strategy is increasing interpersonal relations with people with mental illness. This article reviews the literature on the subject.
Is education of health professionals encouraging stigma towards the mentally ill?
- Authors:
- SADOW Dolly, RYDER Marie, WEBSTER David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 11(6), December 2002, pp.657-665.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Students in a Boston area nursing school were offered the opportunity to take a battery of tests before and after receiving health education, training and experience. The battery included measures of overall attitudes towards the mentally ill, writing judgements about 'troubled people' in specific situations (a vignette instrument), a social desirability scale, a request for basic demographic information as well as information regarding previous contact with the mentally ill and a pilot measure of 'courtesy' stigma. 'Courtesy' stigma refers to the stigma attached to people associated with the mentally ill, such as mental health professionals. Health education and experience did not significantly affect attitudes towards the mentally ill but subjects overall rated mental health professionals more 'kindly' after being exposed to health education and experience. Students who had had a friend who was mentally ill prior to their school training showed a decrease in stigmatizing attitudes after being exposed to health education and experience whereas other students showed an increase. Other experience with the mentally ill, such as being co-workers on the job, did not have the same effect.