Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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How do people with eating disorders experience the stigma associated with their condition? A mixed-methods systematic review
- Authors:
- O'CONNOR Cliodhna, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 30(4), 2021, pp.454-469.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Public opinion research shows that eating disorders (EDs) are a major target of stigmatisation. To understand the implications of this stigma, research investigating how stigma is experienced by individuals with EDs is critical. Aim: This paper aims to collate, evaluate and synthesise the extant empirical research illuminating how people with EDs experience the stigma associated with their condition. Method: A systematic mixed-methods literature search was performed. Articles that met a specified set of inclusion criteria underwent a quality assessment and thematic synthesis. Results: Twenty-nine articles were included in the review. Studies were mostly qualitative and of reasonable methodological quality. The literature was characterised by five research themes, illuminating (i) the nature and prevalence of stigma experienced, (ii) stigma in families, (iii) stigma in healthcare contexts, (iv) self-stigmatisation and illness concealment, and (v) stigma resistance. Conclusions: The reviewed research showed that people with EDs have extensive experience of stigma in diverse settings. They report that stigma has negative implications for their psychological wellbeing and likelihood of help-seeking. However, research also shows that people with EDs actively seek to resist and challenge stigma. The review identifies the outstanding gaps and weaknesses in this literature. (Edited publisher abstract)
“The biggest barrier is to inclusion itself”: the experience of citizenship for adults with mental health problems
- Authors:
- COGAN Nicola Ann, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 30(3), 2021, pp.358-365.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Citizenship has been promoted within mental health for several decades however, its application in the field of mental health policy and practice is relatively novel. The voices of people who experience mental health problems (MHPs) are often absent in ongoing discourses about citizenship. Aims: To explore how adults with experience of MHPs and other life disruptions identify potential barriers to citizenship. Method: A community based participatory research approach was adopted with peer researchers. Six focus groups (N = 40) using semi-structured interviews were conducted, consisting of participants who had experience of MHPs and other life disruption(s) within the last 5 years. The focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed in NVIVO using a thematic approach. Results: Three major themes associated with participants lived experiences of barriers to citizenship were identified: ‘stigmatisation (internal & external) creates further divide’; ‘being socially excluded leads to isolation’; and ‘a sense of difference (as perceived by the self and others)’. Conclusions: Those who have experienced major life disruption(s) face multi-level barriers to citizenship. An awareness of such barriers has important implications for mental health research, policy and practice. Citizenship-oriented implementation strategies that aim to address multi-level barriers merit further investigation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Changing attitudes towards voice hearers: a literature review
- Authors:
- REDDYHOUGH Caitlin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 57(6), 2021, pp.1032-1044.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Auditory verbal hallucinations, or voice hearing, is increasingly understood as a common experience. Despite this, voice hearers still experience a great deal of stigma, which can have serious negative impacts on the person’s experience of their voices, and their recovery. Research has demonstrated that healthcare professionals may be a major source of the stigma surrounding voice hearing, with service-level implications for the development and delivery of evidence-based interventions. Therefore, reducing this stigma is a critical intervention target. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine evidence for interventions aimed at reducing stigma towards people who hear voices, in populations of healthcare professionals, students, and the general public. The available evidence supports the use of anti-stigma interventions based around direct contact with voice hearers and education about voice hearing. However, further research is necessary in this area to confirm these findings. (Edited publisher abstract)
Surviving the stigma: lessons learnt for the prevention of COVID-19 stigma and its mental health impact
- Authors:
- SINGH Shweta, BHUTANI Saniya, FATIMA Huma
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 24(3), 2020, pp.145-149.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The spread of novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than four million lives worldwide. Unfortunately, incidents of stigmatisation associated with COVID-19 are being reported worldwide. Studies conducted during and after public health emergencies because of communicable diseases have highlighted the development of stigmatisation and associated mental health consequences. This study aims to explore the past pandemics and current incidents of stigmatisation to understand COVID-19 stigma, its mental health impact and how they can be prevented by using primary and secondary prevention methods. Design/methodology/approach: Researches were shortlisted using keywords such as “infectious diseases and mental health”, “COVID 19 stigma and mental health”, “Contagious disease stigma” and “mental health of survivors”. Findings: Studies conducted during and after public health emergencies because of communicable diseases have highlighted the development of stigmatisation and associated mental health consequences. The emphasis is on universal prevention of stigmatization. Early psychological intervention may reduce the long-term psychological effects of the illness and reduction of stigma may contribute to treatment. Originality/value: This paper predicts the chances of stigmatisation that COVID-19 survivors may face and possible strategies to prevent it. (Edited publisher abstract)
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)
Economic evaluation of the anti-stigma social marketing campaign in England 2009-2011
- Authors:
- EVANS-LACKO Sara, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(s55), April 2013, pp.s95-s101.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Evidence on the economic impact of social marketing anti-stigma campaigns in relation to people with mental illness is limited. To describe the economic impact of the Time to Change (TTC) anti-stigma social marketing campaign, data collected for the evaluation of TTC were combined with the social marketing campaign expenditure data to investigate differences in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in relation to campaign awareness. To evaluate the return on investment, a decision model that estimated the impact on employment for people with depression was applied. Based on average national social marketing campaign costs, the economic benefits outweighed costs even if the campaign resulted in only 1% more people with depression accessing services and gaining employment if they experienced a health improvement. The cost per person with improved intended behaviour was at most £4 if we assume the campaign was responsible for 50% of the change. Costs associated with improved knowledge and attitudes, however, were more variable. The findings suggest that the TTC anti-stigma social marketing campaign is a potentially cost-effective and low-cost intervention for reducing the impact of stigma on people with mental health problems. (Edited 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 public stigma of mental illness and drug addiction: findings from a stratified random sample
- Authors:
- CORRIGAN Patrick W., KUWABARA Sachiko A., O'SHAUGHNESSY John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 9(2), April 2009, pp.139-147.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Previous research has shown that people labelled with drug addiction are viewed as more blameworthy and dangerous compared to individuals labelled with mental illness who, in turn, are viewed more harshly than those with physical disabilities. Endorsement of such stereotypes often lead to less helping behaviour and more avoidance of people with drug addiction compared to those with mental illness. In this study, attribution and dangerousness models are tested on a stratified random sample of the US population. The sample was recruited from a national online research panel (N = 815). Research participants read a vignette about a person with one of the three health conditions (mental illness, drug addiction, or physically handicapped in a wheelchair) and were asked to complete items representing attribution and dangerousness judgments about the person. Results found addiction to drugs was seen as more blameworthy and dangerous compared to mental illness.
Stigma and coercion in the context of outpatient treatment for people with mental illnesses
- Authors:
- LINK Bruce, CASTILLE Dorothy M., STUBER Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 67(3), August 2008, pp.409-419.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The policies and institutional practices developed to care for people with mental illnesses have critical relevance to the production of stigma as they can induce, minimise or even block it. This article addresses two prominent and competing perspectives on the consequences for stigma of using coercion to insure compliance with outpatient mental health services. The Coercion to Beneficial Treatment perspective holds that the judicious use of coercion facilitates treatment engagement, aids in symptom reduction and, in the long run, reduces stigma. The Coercion to Detrimental Stigma perspective claims that coercion increases stigmatisation resulting in low self-esteem, a compromised quality of life and increased symptoms. The authors examine these differing perspectives in a longitudinal study of 184 people with serious mental illness, 76 of whom were court ordered to outpatient treatment and 108 who were not. They were recruited from treatment facilities in the New York boroughs of the Bronx and Queens. They measure coercion in two ways: by assignment to mandated outpatient treatment and with a measure of self-reported coercion. The longitudinal analysis allows stringent tests of predictions derived from each perspective and finds evidence to support certain aspects of each. Consistent with the Coercion to Beneficial Treatment perspective, they found that improvements in symptoms lead to improvements in social functioning. Also consistent with this perspective, assignment to mandated outpatient treatment is associated with better functioning and, at a trend level, to improvements in quality of life. At the same time the Coercion to Detrimental Stigma perspective is supported by findings showing that self-reported coercion increases felt stigma (perceived devaluation–discrimination), erodes quality of life and through stigma leads to lower self-esteem. Future policy needs not only to find ways to insure that people who need treatment receive it, but to achieve such an outcome in a manner that minimises circumstances that induce perceptions of coercion.