Stigma in Patients Using Mental Health Services
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) - Year 2018, Vol 17, Issue 12
Abstract
Background: Mental illnesses are conspicuous by their universal presence in all geopolitical regions and cultures.1 Deinstitutionalization has been the prevalent mental health policy. The success of this broad goal doesn't come easily, however, it has been shown that stigma plays a significant role in accessing treatment, continuing treatment, being compliant, and reaching favorable outcomes and level of functioning; which continues far beyond recovery of a patient.2 Stigma is defined as a sign of disgrace or discredit, which sets a person apart from others. The stigma of mental illness, although more often related to context than to a person’s appearance, remains a powerful negative attribute in all social relations.3 Aims and Objectives: To study the subjective experiences of stigma and discrimination among patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stigma experienced by patients using mental health services is related to their age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, and duration of illness. Methodology: Outpatients and inpatients attending Government Hospital for Mental Care, Visakhapatnam were invited to the study. After taking a written informed consent, sociodemographic data was collected. Then they were asked to complete the Discrimination and stigma scale (DISC). The purpose of the DISC is to collect information on how having a diagnosis of mental illness influences an individual’s personal and social life. This instrument collects experiences of discrimination in key areas of everyday life and social participation, including work, marriage, parenting, housing, leisure, and religious activities. Statistical analysis was done on the data, with ANOVA and student t-test, between demographic variables and scores obtained on the scale using SPSS software version 22. Results: Patients predominantly belonged to the age group 18 – 29 years (54.48%) and majority of the sample were males (70.9%). The sample consisted mostly Hindus (68.66%) and majority were employed (76.12%). Illiterates (58.21%) and married patients predominated the sample (62.69%). This study shows that significant difference in the mean scores of subscale-2 (stopping self) were observed between the 4 groups of illnesses with patients with substance abuse having higher scores (p<0.05) indicating that they are stopping themselves due to stigma in various aspects such as stopping themselves at work and stopping themselves from being in a relationship. Significant difference in the total scores of subscales -2 (stopping self) were observed between males and females, with females having higher scores (p<0.05). Significant difference in the mean scores of subscale-3 (overcoming stigma) were observed between nuclear and joint families, with nuclear families having higher scores (p<0.05). Significant difference in both total and mean scores was observed in all subscales of DISC (p<0.05) in relation to the duration of illness indicating that higher the duration of illness, higher is the stigma faced such as unfair treatment and also higher duration of illness is associated with lower positive treatment faced by the patients. CONCLUSION: From this study, it can be concluded that stigmatizing attitudes are prevalent in the community in these modern times and patients with mental illness are facing discrimination in various aspects of their life. This study has shown that patients with substance abuse experienced higher discriminatory attitudes than other disorders. This study also shows that with longer duration of illness, the stigmatizing attitudes experienced by the individuals was high. Further research is needed in investigating how best to intervene to prevent or minimize the discriminatory experiences.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr K Prabhath, Dr Ramananda Kishore Kavi
Keywords
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- EP ID EP421597
- DOI 10.9790/0853-1712021623.
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