Mental health stigma and mental health knowledge in Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

Huifang Yin,Klaas J Wardenaar,Robert A Schoevers,Guangming Xu,Hongjun Tian

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02705-x

Huifang Yin, Klaas J Wardenaar + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02705-x

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Abstract

BackgroundLittle is known about the public stigma on mental illness and mental health knowledge (MHK) in China, public stigma and low MHK can negatively affect patients’ health and increase the burden of mental disorders on society. This study aimed at investigating the rates of stigma and MHK, the correlates of stigma and MHK, and the association between MHK and stigma among a Chinese population.MethodsThe data is from the Tianjin Mental Health Survey (TJMHS), which involved a large and a representative sample of adult community residents in the Chinese municipality of Tianjin (n = 11,748). In a 12% random subsample (n = 1775) the Perceived Discrimination and Devaluation scale (PDD) and a Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) were administered. First, percentages of the responses to the individual items of the PDD and MHKQ were investigated. Second, sociodemographic correlates of PDD and MHK, and the association between stigma and MHK were investigated.ResultsWe found that a sizable proportion of participants responded that others would hold a negative attitude towards (former) mental patients, especially with regard to engaging in closer personal relationships. Most people were not familiar about the causes, treatments and prevention of mental illness. Resident area, age, education level, Per capita family income and employment status were related to devaluation score and MHKQ score. MHK was negatively associated with public stigma.ConclusionsThere is room for improvement with regard to levels of public stigma and MHK in China. Providing psychoeducation to improve public MHK could also contribute to reduction of public stigma.

Highlights

Little is known about the public stigma on mental illness and mental health knowledge (MHK) in China, public stigma and low MHK can negatively affect patients’ health and increase the burden of mental disorders on society
Previous work about stigma on mental illness in china has indicated that public stigma is perceived by patients and their families [10, 11]
The results showed relatively positive public attitudes with regard to mental illness patients in general, which could partly be due to previous efforts to reduce public stigma, this cannot be determined based on the current study

Summary

Introduction

Little is known about the public stigma on mental illness and mental health knowledge (MHK) in China, public stigma and low MHK can negatively affect patients’ health and increase the burden of mental disorders on society. Yin et al BMC Psychiatry (2020) 20:323 health stigma in China might be addressed by increasing MHK, using national education programs [9]. The number of investigations of mental-health stigma and MHK, and their interrelatedness, has been limited, making it hard to judge if and how educational programs should be targeted. Recent research has raised concerns that mental health professionals hold discriminatory attitudes towards psychiatric patients in China [19]. Different aspects and/or types of stigma (devaluation vs discrimination) and their relationships to MHK need to be further investigated. The role of sociodemographic characteristics (e.g. gender, age, education) and mental health status need to be considered when investigating stigma and its relationship to MHK

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