Comparative study of experienced and anticipated stigma in Serbia and the world

Abstract

The presented study is part of the International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO) conducted in 28 countries. The aim of this study was to compare the degree of experienced and anticipated stigma of patients with schizophrenia in Serbia with world results. The Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC) was applied in individual interviews. The sample comprised 732 subjects of the main study and 50 subjects from Serbia. The amount of negative experienced discrimination in Serbia is the same as in other participating countries. The Serbian sample shows more negative discrimination in intimate relationships, personal safety and general harm due to the diagnosis, but more positive discrimination within the family, privileges during treatment of somatic illnesses, and benefits enjoyed in social and retirement insurance. The Serbian sample shows less anticipated discrimination in looking for a close relationship and in stopping self from applying for work. The results show that socio-demographic variables could not predict negative experienced and anticipated discrimination, while those same variables enable the prediction of 34% of positive discrimination. Compared to other investigated countries, stigmatization processes for persons with schizophrenia do not differ considerably in Serbia, which justifies the implementation of unique anti-stigma programmes and joint upgrading of legal regulations.