Introduction
The consequences of schizophrenia stigma are numerous and highly damaging to individuals, their families, the health care system and society. Mental health professionals (MHP) are considered to be one of the main sources of stigmatization.
Objectives
To identify the characteristics of MHP stigma in schizophrenia in comparison with other psychiatric disorders, the specificities of MHP compared with other social groups, and associated factors.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched multiple electronic databases for articles: (i) reporting original data published in English in peer-reviewed journals, (ii) reporting quantitative data with statistical analysis, (iii) assessing stigma in a broad sense, and (iv) including samples composed only of MHP.
Results
A total of 38 articles published from 1999 to 2019 and involving 10926 MHP fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Studies showed that schizophrenia is the most stigmatized mental illnesses in MHP, despite recent results suggesting that borderline personality disorder and substance abuse may be more stigmatized. In comparison with other social groups, MHP reported less dangerousness beliefs and more positive beliefs regarding pharmacological treatment. Nevertheless, results were less consistent regarding prognosis and desire for social distance. Age, education level, type of mental health profession, or length of practice were associated factors that showed inconsistent relations with stigma. Work setting and biological causal beliefs were more clearly associated with MHP stigma.
Conclusions
These findings provide strong support for the need to conduct specific research on schizophrenia stigma in MHP and the importance of controlling for several variables to identify predictors of stigma.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
Introduction
Mental health care is considered to be one of the main sources of mental illness stigmatization. Detailed information about these stigmatization experiences is needed to reduce stigma in mental health practices.
Objectives
The study aimed i) to identify the most relevant stigmatizing situations in mental health care encountered by users and families, ii) to characterize the relative importance of these situations in terms of frequency, experienced stigmatization and suffering, and iii) to identify individual and contextual factors associated with these experiences.
Methods
In a focus group, users were asked to select the 15 most relevant stigmatization situations among those they elicited and those that were taken from the literature. An online survey was then conducted among users and family members to characterize these situations and identify predictors.
Results
A total of 235 participants were included: 59 participants with schizophrenia diagnosis, 96 with other psychiatric diagnoses and 80 family members. The results revealed 15 situations with different levels of frequency, stigmatization and suffering. Participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia experienced more situations of stigmatization and with a higher frequency. Moreover, factors such as recovery-oriented practices and measures without consent were the best predictors of experienced stigmatization.
Conclusions
These original stigmatization situations could be targeted to reduce stigmatization and associated suffering in mental health practices. Results strongly suggest that recovery-oriented practice should be fostered to fight stigma in mental health care.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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