Mental-Health-Related Stigma in a Conservative and Patriarchal Community

Popović, Aleksandar; Marić, Nađa P.

doi:10.3390/socsci12050262

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

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“…Therefore, it is plausible that knowledge about mental health may provide insights into how individuals perceive and manage mental illness, as well as how the general public interacts with those who suffer from it ( 16 ). Despite this, in reality, positive attitudes around PWMI do not always correlate with higher levels of education ( 17 , 18 ).…”

Section: Culturally Based Stigma and Shamementioning

confidence: 94%

Mental health stigma: a conundrum for healthcare practitioners in conservative communities

Booth,

Abuhmida,

Anyanwu

2024

Front. Public Health

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This paper presents perspectives on the stigma and shame around mental health in conservative communities, and some of the issues faced by health systems in those communities. The various causes of stigma are explored, and how these are often more pronounced in culturally reserved, conservative communities. While health systems are supposed to provide support for mental health sufferers, this stigma sometimes even extends to healthcare workers, which can discourage patients from asking for assistance. Solutions and reforms are needed, for example education programs; addressing gender norms, and the consideration of culture and religion, to form effective solutions. It is also suggested that alternative therapies and support mechanisms, including digital solutions such as artificial intelligence chatbots, may be useful to provide much needed support to individuals with poor mental health. Along with integrating options such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), it may be useful to draw on indigenous psychologies, such as Islamic psychology, as a way of decolonizing approaches. Therefore, when considering solutions, cultural and religious norms must be considered to ensure their efficacy and acceptance.

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Section: Culturally Based Stigma and Shamementioning

confidence: 94%

Mental health stigma: a conundrum for healthcare practitioners in conservative communities

Booth,

Abuhmida,

Anyanwu

2024

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Mental illness through the perspective of undergraduate medical students in Greece: a cross-sectional study at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Porfyri,

Athanasiadou,

Siokas

et al. 2023

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionNumerous studies reveal that mental health-related stigma, stereotypes, and prejudices negatively affect the patients, jeopardizing their health, prognosis, and social opportunities. Healthcare professionals, who are in the first line of combating mental disease, are expected to play a significant role in drastically changing discriminatory and stigmatizing attitudes toward psychiatric patients and in diminishing the existing healthcare and social disparities. In this study, we aimed to explore and highlight the views of Greek medical students—that is of the future physicians—toward mental illness and people suffering from it.Materials and methodsIt is a cross-sectional, observational study, in which 324 undergraduate students from the most populous Greek medical school of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, participated online, during the spring semester of 2022. The tools used were the Opinions about Mental Illness Scale (OMI) that assesses one’s viewpoints about mental illness, the Social Distance Scale (SDS) that captures the desired degree of social distancing from patients with mental disorders, and the Level of Contact Report (LCR-12) that estimates the level of familiarity with them.ResultsParticipants displayed rather positive attitudes regarding the etiology of mental illness, social integration, and discrimination toward psychiatric patients [as evaluated with the respective OMI subscales; Etiology mean score (μ):8.87 ± 4.68, Social Integration (μ):17.79 ± 5.42, Social Discrimination (μ):13.54 ± 11.17], and more clearly favorable opinions concerning the need for social provision or the enactment of restrictive measures [as expressed with the relative OMI subscales; Social Care (μ):22.74 ± 4.56, Social Restriction (μ):13.27 ± 8.98], while claiming to be quite familiar with mental disorders and individuals experiencing them (as assessed with LCR; μ: 8.71 ± 2.16), and relatively willing to interact with them (as measured with SDS; μ:8.95 ± 4.23). Degree of familiarity with mental illness was directly proportional to the desire for contact with patients living with it, while the higher both were, the more improved most of the aforementioned OMI sectors were found to be. Female sex, clinical medical education, previous clinical psychiatric training, and living with or being a person with a mental disorder were the factors that defined a statistically refined profile in many of the aspects above.ConclusionOur findings are in accordance with many prior and recent studies, while showing improved opinions compared to those of previous research in Greek student and healthcare population. They are calling for vigilance, rather than complacency, as well as educational and social interventions, in order to enable current and future healthcare professionals to perform their function to its fullest extent. Implications of our results and further research suggestions are included.

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Mental-Health-Related Stigma in a Conservative and Patriarchal Community

Cited by 2 publications

References 30 publications

Mental health stigma: a conundrum for healthcare practitioners in conservative communities

Mental health stigma: a conundrum for healthcare practitioners in conservative communities

Mental illness through the perspective of undergraduate medical students in Greece: a cross-sectional study at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

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