Lower Levels Of Stigma Research Articles

Media Consumption and Creation in Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Web-Based Survey.

BackgroundInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition affecting over 5 million people globally and 1.6 million in the United States but currently lacks a precisely determined cause or cure. The range of symptoms IBD patients experience are often debilitating, and the societal stigmas associated with some such symptoms can further degrade their quality of life. Better understanding the nature of this public reproach then is a critical component for improving awareness campaigns and, ultimately, the experiences of IBD patients.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore and assess the public’s awareness and knowledge of IBD, as well as what relationship, if any, exists between the social stigma surrounding IBD, knowledge of the disease, and various media usage, including social media.MethodsUtilizing a Web-based opt-in platform, we surveyed a nationally representative sample (n=1200) with demographics mirroring those of the US Census figures across baseline parameters. Using constructed indices based on factor analysis, we were able to build reliable measures of personal characteristics, media behaviors, and perceptions and knowledge of IBD.ResultsAmong the American public, IBD is the most stigmatized of seven diseases, including genital herpes and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Additionally, IBD knowledge is generally low with 11.08% (133/1200) of the sample indicating no familiarity with the disease and 85.50% (1026/1200) of participants inaccurately answering two-thirds of the IBD index questions with which their knowledge was assessed. Increased knowledge of IBD is associated with lower levels of stigma. However, social media use is currently related to lower levels of IBD knowledge (P<.05). Furthermore, findings indicate that participants who most frequently engaged in producing social media content are less knowledgeable about IBD (P<.10), highlighting the potential for a dangerous cycle should they be contributing to a Web-based IBD dialogue.ConclusionsGreater efforts must be taken to stymie IBD misinformation across all media, but especially in social media channels, to increase IBD knowledge and reduce stigma surrounding IBD. These findings pave the way for further research qualitatively examining the pervasiveness of specific IBD messages found in today’s social media landscape and their impact on enacted stigmas so as to better equip providers and patient advocacy organizations with impactful communication solutions.

Statewide mental health training for probation officers: improving knowledge and decreasing stigma

BackgroundThe large and growing number of probationers with mental illnesses pose significant challenges to the probationer officers who supervise them. Stigma towards mental illnesses among probation officers is largely unstudied and the effectiveness of training initiatives designed to educate probation officers about mental illness is unknown. To address these gaps in the literature, we report findings from a statewide mental health training initiative designed to improve probation officers’ knowledge of mental illnesses. A single-group pretest posttest design was used and data about stigma towards mental illnesses and knowledge of mental illnesses were collected from 316 probation officers. Data were collected prior to and shortly after officers viewed a series of educational training modules about mental illnesses.ResultsOfficers’ knowledge of mental illnesses increased and officers demonstrated lower levels of stigma towards persons with mental illnesses as evidenced by scores on a standardized scale.ConclusionMental health education can help decrease stigma and increase knowledge of mental illnesses among probation officers. More research is needed to assess the impact of these trainings on probationers’ mental health and criminal justice outcomes.

Student Attitudes toward Career Counseling Services at Sultan Qaboos University

This study investigated student attitudes toward career counseling services at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A total of 134 full-time undergraduate students took part in the study. Using Rochlen, Mohr, and Hargrove’s (1999) Attitudes Toward Career Counseling Services (ATCCS) scale, student attitudes were obtained. ATCCS was adapted to Arabic. Reliability scores for the subscales (Value: α = .83, Stigma: α = .70). Both genders indicated moderate to high value for career services, with no significant gender difference. Also, there was no significant gender difference in stigma for seeking career services nor stigma was found. Both genders showed low levels of stigma. There was a negative relationship between value and stigma scales. Results indicated no significant differences due to year in college in levels of value and stigma. Location of the center and marketing of services negatively influenced students’ willingness to seek career services. Results are discussed and directions for further research are provided.

Student Attitudes toward Career Counseling Services at Sultan Qaboos University

This study investigated student attitudes toward career counseling services at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A total of 134 full-time undergraduate students took part in the study. Using Rochlen, Mohr, and Hargrove’s (1999) Attitudes Toward Career Counseling Services (ATCCS) scale, student attitudes were obtained. ATCCS was adapted to Arabic. Reliability scores for the subscales (Value: α = .83, Stigma: α = .70). Both genders indicated moderate to high value for career services, with no significant gender difference. Also, there was no significant gender difference in stigma for seeking career services nor stigma was found. Both genders showed low levels of stigma. There was a negative relationship between value and stigma scales. Results indicated no significant differences due to year in college in levels of value and stigma. Location of the center and marketing of services negatively influenced students’ willingness to seek career services. Results are discussed and directions for further research are provided.

Effectiveness of the "What's Up!" Intervention to Reduce Stigma and Psychometric Properties of the Youth Program Questionnaire (YPQ): Results from a Cluster Non-randomized Controlled Trial Conducted in Catalan High Schools.

Mental disorders are highly prevalent in the general population, and people who experience them are frequently stigmatized. Stigma has a very negative impact on social, academic/professional, and personal life. Considering the high rates of mental disorders among children and adolescents (13.4%) and how critical this age is in the formation of nuclear beliefs, many campaigns to combat stigma have been developed in the last decade, with mixed results. The OBERTAMENT initiative has produced various anti-stigma campaigns in Catalonia (Spain). In the present study, the main objective was to report on the effectiveness of the OBERTAMENT “What’s up!” intervention, a curricular intervention including education and social contact conducted by the teachers in the classroom with teenagers aged between 14 and 18. Prior to this, we examined the psychometric properties of the Youth Program Questionnaire (YPQ), our main outcome measure, in terms of dimensionality, reliability, and validity. A cluster non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess this intervention, which was tested in nine high schools situated in the Barcelona region. A convenience sample of 261 students formed the intervention group and 132 the control group (52% women, mean age = 14, SD = 0.47). The assignment to study conditions was conducted by Departament d’Ensenyament (Department of Education), Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government). Participants were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and 9-month follow-up. The main outcome measure of this study was the YPQ. The Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS) was used as secondary outcome measure. The statistical analysis indicated that the YPQ possesses a two-factor structure (stereotypical attitudes and intended behavior) and sound psychometric properties. The multilevel mixed-effects models revealed statistically significant interactions for both study measures and post hoc intragroup analyses revealed a significant but small improvement in the YPQ and RIBS scores in the intervention group. Overall, our results indicate that “What’s up!” produced statistically significant, albeit small improvements in stereotypical attributions and intended behavior toward people with mental disorders. Some methodological limitations and the relatively low levels of stigma observed in our sample may undermine our results. The implications of our results are discussed in relation to stigma research.

Mental health literacy, stigma and perception of causation of mental illness among Chinese people in Taiwan.

Few studies have been performed to explore mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness and their relationships with causal beliefs about mental illness among Chinese people in Taiwan. Using a comparative approach, this study attempted to compare the mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes of Taiwanese Chinese with those found among Australian and Japanese participants in other studies and to explore how mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes relate to different perceptions of causes of mental illness. A convenience sample of 287 participants completed a battery of standardised questionnaires. A much lower percentage of Taiwanese people than Australians could correctly identify depression and schizophrenia. The Taiwanese respondents rated psychiatrists and clinical psychologists as more helpful than social workers and general practitioners (GPs) and expressed more uncertainty about the usefulness of certain medications when compared to the Australian and Japanese samples. Interestingly, Taiwanese Chinese hold similarly high levels of stigma towards schizophrenia, but lower levels of stigma towards depression when compared to the Japanese respondents. Taiwanese respondents who have higher levels of mental health literacy about schizophrenia were less willing to interact with people with schizophrenia than those with lower levels of mental health literacy. This study underlines the need for public education programmes to improve knowledge of various mental illnesses and to reduce stigmatising attitudes among Taiwanese Chinese. The aforementioned socially and culturally driven beliefs must be taken into consideration so that culturally relevant education programmes can be developed.

Predictors of the Self-Reported Likelihood of Seeking Social Worker Help among People with Physical Disabilities

ABSTRACTThe current study assesses the association between demographic factors, attitudes toward social workers, the stigma attached to seeking social worker help, perceived social support, and psychological distress—and the self-reported likelihood of seeking social worker help, among people with physical disabilities in Israel. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires, administered to a sample of 435 people with physical disabilities. The findings suggest that women, older respondents, people with more positive attitudes toward social workers, with higher levels of psychological distress and of social support, and with a lower level of stigma, reported a greater likelihood of seeking social workers help. The study’s conclusion is that there are certain avoidance factors among people with physical disabilities that might discourage them from seeking social workers’ help. Therefore, it is important that social workers identify these factors and develop interventions aimed at encouraging people with physical disabilities to seek social workers help in case of need, and also develop practices adjusted to the unique needs of people with physical disabilities.

Obraz siebie i małżeństwa u współmałżonków osób z niepełnosprawnością ruchową. Perspektywa stygmatyzacji przeniesionej

Przedmiotem artykułu jest analiza wyników badań własnych, dotyczących znaczenia stygmatyzacji przeniesionej dla obrazu siebie oraz satysfakcji małżeńskiej partnerów osób z niepełnosprawnością ruchową. Uwzględniając globalny poziom stygmatyzacji przeniesionej, postrzeganej oraz odczuwanej, przeanalizowano jego znaczenie dla wybranych własności obrazu siebie pełnosprawnych współmałżonków oraz doświadczanej przez nich satysfakcji ze związku w zakresie poszczególnych jej aspektów oraz wskaźnika globalnego. W badaniach wzięło udział 85 osób pełnosprawnych. Materiał zebrano za pomocą Kwestionariusza Stygmatyzacji Przeniesionej własnego autorstwa, Skali Samooceny Fittsa oraz Kwestionariusza Dobranego Małżeństwa Plopy. Ustalono, że poziom stygmatyzacji przeniesionej w obu jej wymiarach różnicuje istotnie własności obrazu siebie badanych oraz ich satysfakcję małżeńską. Osoby o wysokim poziomie stygmatyzacji ujawniły relatywnie najwyższy poziom samokrytycyzmu i identyfikacji z własnym Ja, ale również najwyższe wartościowanie poszczególnych sfer Ja. Najkorzystniejszy obraz związku małżeńskiego, ze stosunkowo najwyższym poczuciem intymności oraz podobieństwa, a przy tym najniższym rozczarowaniem, odnotowano u osób mających niski poziom stygmatyzacji w obu jej wymiarach.

Perceived Stigma in Patients with Schizophrenia and Caregivers in Songklanagarind Hospital: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To study the perceived level of stigma in patients with schizophrenia and caregivers. Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional study. The researchers collected all data of patients with schizophrenia and caregivers in the psychiatric out-patient unit in Songklanagarind Hospital from May 2015 to March 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Demographics and level of perception of stigma data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of a percentage, mean, and standard deviation.Results: One hundred seventy-one patients with schizophrenia participated. Eighty-nine patients were female (52.0%); the average age was 42.3 years [standard deviation (S.D.)=13.4]; duration of illness was 15 years (S.D.=11.4). Most patients were Buddhist (84.2%), unemployed (38.0%), paranoid type (68.4%). One hundred seventy-one caregivers participated. The average age was 51.2 years (S.D.=13.4). Most caregivers were female (71.9%), Buddhist (86.0%), a parent of patient (40.4%). Average duration of care was 12.7 years (S.D.=9.3). The study found that the patients perceived a low level of stigma (62.0%). Only 1.8% of patients perceived a high level of stigma. The caregivers also perceived a low level of stigma (62.0%). Only 0.6% of caregivers perceived a high level of stigma.Conclusion: Most patients with schizophrenia and caregivers perceived a low level of stigma.

STIGMA TERHADAP ORANG DENGAN GANGGUAN JIWA (ODGJ) PADA MAHASISWA PROGRAM STUDI ILMU KEPERAWATAN STIKES JENDERAL ACHMAD YANI YOGYAKARTA

Background: Stigma is a negative view of individuals that would have influences on how they feel about, and act upon others. Stigma towards people with mental health problems will negatively affect their recovery process. At a stage of their education, nursing students will meet with people with mental disorders. It is important to analyze their view towards people with mental disorders.&#x0D; Objective: This research aimed to gain an overview on nursing students’ stigma towards people with mental disorders at Stikes Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta.&#x0D; Methods: This study was descriptive quantitative with a cross sectional method and proportionate random sampling technique, involving 81 respondents. Data were obtained through a questionnaire. Students’ stigma was viewed from several aspects including education, gender, age and ethnicity. Stigma was assessed in three categories; low, moderate and high level of stigma.&#x0D; Result: Result showed that within the categories, the highest prevalence was in the moderate level of stigma (96.3% or 78 people), high level of stigma accounted for 3.7% (3 people), and there was not respondent with low level of stigma.&#x0D; Conclusion: The majority of nursing students at Stikes Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta had moderate&#x0D; level of stigma. Keywords: stigma, mental disorder, nursing student

Social Determinants of HIV-Related Stigma in Faith-Based Organizations.

To examine the association between social factors in faith-based settings (including religiosity and proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS) and HIV stigma. A total of 1747 congregants from primarily African American faith-based organizations of Project FAITH (Fostering AIDS Initiatives That Heal), a South Carolina statewide initiative to address HIV-related stigma, completed a survey. Female gender (P = .001), higher education (P < .001), knowing someone with HIV/AIDS (P = .01), and knowing someone who is gay (P < .001), but not religiosity, were associated with lower levels of stigma and with lower odds of stigmatizing attitudes (P < .05). Opportunities for connection with people living with HIV/AIDS tailored to the social characteristics of faith-based organizations may address HIV stigma in African American communities.

Stigma and its correlates in patients with schizophrenia attending a general hospital psychiatric unit.

Background:Very few studies from India have studied stigma experienced by patients with schizophrenia.Aim of the Study:To study stigma in patients with schizophrenia (in the form of internalized stigma, perceived stigma and social-participation-restriction stigma) and its relationship with specified demographic and clinical variables (demographic variables, clinical profile, level of psychopathology, knowledge about illness, and insight).Materials and Methods:Selected by purposive random sampling, 100 patients with schizophrenia in remission were evaluated on internalized stigma of mental illness scale (ISMIS), explanatory model interview catalog stigma scale, participation scale (P-scale), positive and negative syndrome scale for schizophrenia, global assessment of functioning scale, scale to assess unawareness of mental disorder, and knowledge of mental illness scale.Results:On ISMIS scale, 81% patients experienced alienation and 45% exhibited stigma resistance. Stereotype endorsement was seen in 26% patients, discrimination experience was faced by 21% patients, and only 16% patients had social withdrawal. Overall, 29% participants had internalized stigma when total ISMIS score was taken into consideration. On P-scale, 67% patients experienced significant restriction, with a majority reporting moderate to mild restriction. In terms of associations between stigma and sociodemographic variables, no consistent correlations emerged, except for those who were not on paid job, had higher participation restriction. Of the clinical variables, level of functioning was the only consistent predictor of stigma. While better knowledge about the disorder was associated with lower level of stigma, there was no association between stigma and insight.Conclusion:Significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia experience stigma and stigma is associated with lower level of functioning and better knowledge about illness is associated with lower level of stigma.

Perceived HIV Related Stigma among Patients Attending ART Center of a Tertiary Care Center in Rural West Bengal, India.

Despite the advent of modern technologies, India is still grappling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Stigma is one of the key aspects which can interfere with HIV test-seeking behaviour, care-seeking behaviour upon diagnosis, quality of care given to HIV-positive patients and perception and treatment of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) by communities, families, and partners. To determine the perceived stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and its correlates among PLHAs attending the Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre of North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of four months among 454 patients aged ≥18years attending ART centre of North Bengal Medical College. Perceived stigma among the study subjects were assessed using a face and content validated version of Berger's HIV stigma scale. Linear regression analysis was used for statistical analysis of the predictors of perceived stigma. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 software. The majority of the study population had moderate to low stigma. Regression analysis showed that being on treatment with ART had the highest contribution towards stigma followed by gender and HIV serostatus of the patients. The patients attending ART centre of North Bengal Medical College had moderate to low level of stigma. In absence of any efficacious stigma reduction programs in this region, more work needs to be done to assist PLHA in coping with stigma.

Identifying Persuasive Public Health Messages to Change Community Knowledge and Attitudes About Bulimia Nervosa

Addressing stigma through social marketing campaigns has the potential to enhance currently low rates of treatment seeking and improve the well-being of individuals with the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. This study aimed to evaluate the persuasiveness of health messages designed to reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy about this disorder. A community sample of 1,936 adults (48.2% male, 51.8% female) from Victoria, Australia, provided (a) self-report information on knowledge and stigma about bulimia nervosa and (b) ratings of the persuasiveness of 9 brief health messages on dimensions of convincingness and likelihood of changing attitudes. Messages were rated moderately to very convincing and a little to moderately likely to change attitudes toward bulimia nervosa. The most persuasive messages were those that emphasized that bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness and is not attributable to personal failings. Higher ratings of convincingness were associated with being female, with having more knowledge about bulimia nervosa, and with lower levels of stigma about bulimia nervosa. Higher ratings for likelihood of changing attitudes were associated with being female and with ratings of the convincingness of the corresponding message. This study provides direction for persuasive content to be included in social marketing campaigns to reduce stigma toward bulimia nervosa.

Stigmatising attitudes of undergraduates towards their peers with depression: a cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka.

BackgroundThere is limited research examining mental health-related stigma of undergraduates in non-western developing countries. This study examined stigma of undergraduates in Sri Lanka towards another depressed undergraduate.MethodsA hypothetical vignette of an undergraduate suffering from depression was presented. A total of 4650 undergraduates responded to scales assessing their personal stigma towards and desire for social distance from this individual. Exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) was performed to determine the dimensionality and loading pattern of the items on these two stigma scales. Multiple linear regressions were used to explore correlates of the identified dimensions of stigma.ResultsPrevious findings that the Social Distance Scale forms a single dimension and that the Personal Stigma Scale consists of two dimensions were supported. However, the measurement structure of the dimensions of stigma on the latter scales, labelled ‘Weak-not-Sick’ and ‘Dangerous-Undesirable’ , differed from previous work. A high level of stigma in relation to the ‘Weak-not-Sick’ Scale was observed. However, some correlates associated with lower levels of stigma on this scale, such as being in the Medical Faculty, were associated with higher levels of stigma on the ‘Dangerous-Undesirable’ and ‘Social Distance’ scales. In contrast, labelling the problem as a mental health-related problem, with absence of specific psychiatric terminology, was associated with lower levels of stigma on these latter two scales. Exposure to a mental health problem in family or friends or from personal experience was also associated with lower stigma on the Social Distance Scale. However, the effect sizes of these relationships were small.ConclusionsThe findings highlight differences in the measurement structure and score distribution of the ‘Weak-not-Sick’ and ‘Dangerous-Undesirable’ scales when used in different cultural and demographic contexts. The dimensionality of stigma relevant to these scales must always be established prior to their use in different contexts. Furthermore, campaigns targeted at improving knowledge about depression as a real illness and as a psychiatric condition need to ensure that such attempts are not associated with increases in other aspects of stigma.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0523-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Perceived Stigma of Mental Health Services Among Rural Parents of Children With Psychosocial Concerns.

To examine parents' perceptions of stigma regarding mental health services for their child, consider stigma in the context of novel service delivery settings (e.g., telehealth, primary care, and schools), and evaluate stigma with other factors known to influence service access. 347 caregivers of children with psychosocial concerns completed surveys regarding their perceptions of stigma, service delivery settings, and barriers to care. Parents endorsed low levels of stigma around services. Greater perceived stigma was related to less willingness to seek services in a mental/behavioral health center or schools but not in other settings, even when other barriers were considered. Having a younger child and a history of prior services was associated with greater willingness to seek services. Stigma does appear to present as a barrier, but only for some parents. Providing mental health services to young children and their parents in some nontraditional settings may increase access.

Factors that Influence Chaplains' Suicide Intervention Behavior in the Army.

We surveyed 868 Army chaplains and 410 chaplain assistants (CAs) about their role in identifying, caring for, and referring soldiers at risk of suicide to behavioral health care. We applied structural equation modeling to identify how behaviors and attitudes related to intervention behavior. In both samples, reluctance and stigma were related to intervention behaviors; efficacy was correlated with intervention behaviors only among chaplains. Training was associated with increased efficacy and lower levels of stigma among chaplains. Improved training may be warranted, but research needs to identify why chaplains and CAs are reluctant to refer soldiers in distress to behavioral health care.

Parental Perceptions of Mental Health Care for Children in El Salvador

The present study examined perceptions of mental health care amongst a group of parents presenting to a children’s museum in El Salvador. A total sample of 311 guardians completed a set of questionnaires focused on suitability of treatment approaches, barriers to obtaining care, and mental health attitudes. Results suggested positive mental health attitudes (i.e., low stigma, positive help-seeking attitudes and intentions), high approval for self-reliant methods of treating mental health problems (e.g., pull oneself together, physical exercise, and relaxation), and perception of barriers to treatment as, on average, likely to be a moderate problem in attempts to obtain care. Psychotherapy was also rated favorably; however, use of psychiatric medication was rated largely unfavorable along with other ingestive strategies (e.g., drinking alcohol, taking alternative medicine). Approval of psychotherapy was associated with past obtainment of such services, lower levels of stigma, and more positive help-seeking attitudes. Overall, individuals in El Salvador appear open to mental health treatment for their children, but may prefer self-reliant methods of solving mental health problems or believe obtaining care will be too difficult. Continued understanding of perceptions of mental health care treatment may aid in improving the quality of mental health care treatment available and obtained for individuals in El Salvador and other nations.

Impact of Community Interventions on the Social Representation of Depression in Rural Gujarat

There is a pressing need to develop community interventions that will address stigma against mental illness in rural India. This cross-sectional study will compare social representations of depression in villages where educational programs have targeted mental illness and stigma versus control villages. Participants from the villages exposed to the educational interventions (n = 146) will be compared with a sample from six control villages (n = 187) in the same geographic region, using a structured questionnaire. The impact of the intervention as a predictor for questionnaire score will be assessed along with socio-demographic variables. The intervention villages showed higher levels of literacy regarding depression and lower levels of stigma, after adjusting for all other socio-demographic variables. While some demographic factors associated with the knowledge and attitudes towards depression are not modifiable, our research provides evidence in favor of the positive influence a community grassroots intervention can have on mental health literacy in rural settings.

Associations between internalised stereotypes of psychosis and emotional dysfunction in people with psychosis not taking antipsychotic medication

This study explores relationships between internalised stereotypes (IS) and emotional dysfunction in people with psychosis who are not taking antipsychotic medication. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data for 66 participants were tested for relationships between IS, emotional dysfunction and insight at baseline and three months. IS and insight at baseline were compared between those with psychological and other causal models of psychosis. High levels of IS were associated with depression and social anxiety at baseline. Internalised stereotypes contributed to the variance in depression over time. Participants who reported a psychological causal model for their psychotic experiences had significantly lower levels of stigma. Findings support a stigma model of emotional dysfunction in people with psychosis replicating previous findings in an antipsychotic free group. Research is required to demonstrate effective interventions for IS in those with psychosis.