Stigma of mental illness and cultural factors in Pacific Rim region: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Although cultural factors play a crucial role in experience of stigma, there is scant review on the impact and importance of culture on stigma of mental illness across Pacific Rim Region. This study aims to investigate: 1) the cultural factors related to stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness in Pacific Rim region, and 2) culture-specific measures and interventions on stigma of mental illness. Methods A systematic search of papers was conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google scholar through January 2003 to April 2019. Results Forty-one studies in Pacific Rim region which met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The rate of stigma of mental illness (e.g., public stigma: from 25.4 to 85.2%) was relatively high in Pacific Rim region. Culture factors (e.g., Collectivism, Confucianism, face concern and familism, religion and supernatural beliefs) contributed to people’s stigmatizing behaviors and attitudes toward persons with mental illness, their relatives and mental health professionals. Certain measurements were developed and employed to assess different type of cultural factors related to stigma of mental illness. Conclusions Cultural factors play an important role in influencing the rate and performance of stigma of mental illness. Further research on stigma of mental illness and culture-specific interventions to reduce the stigma should be conducted in the Pacific Rim region.

Knowledge, contact and stigma of mental illness: Comparing three stakeholder groups in Hong Kong

“…Health policies should be developed for addressing the contact, especially positive contact, among CR, MHW, FM and persons with mental illness. Cultural-specific anti-stigma interventions should also account for the unique characteristics of different stakeholder groups (Ran et al, 2021). This study indicated that knowledge was significantly associated with the behaviours of MHW (e.g.…”

“…Stigma of mental illness is a global public health issue (Henderson & Thornicroft, 2009; Ran et al, 2021; World Health Organization [WHO], 2013). According to social cognitive model of stigma (Corrigan et al, 2003, 2014), which built on attribution theory (Weiner, 1988) and theory of dangerousness (Angermeyer et al, 2004), stigma of mental illness is conceptualized in terms of stereotypes (negative beliefs about persons with mental illness (PMI), e.g.…”

Public Stigma on Depression Comorbid with Diabetes: A Vignette-Method Study in China

“…Based on literature and current data from this study, the following discussion addresses two signi cant public stigma predictors and three non-signi cant results. In a systematic review of 41 studies in the Paci c Rim region, Ran et al [43] found that cultural factors led to the stigma of mental illness. Speci cally, Chinese people who are collectivist-oriented believe that mental illness is equivalent to secrecy, internalizing it with self-stigma but accepting "one's role as handed down by destiny" [16 p. 38].…”

Internalized Stigma and Stigmatizing Cultural Beliefs on Parenting With Mental Illness Among Female Patients With Schizophrenia: A Comparison of Female Parent Versus Non Parent

“…Furthermore, prior evidence from non-parent population suggests that women may be more likely to perceive and internalise stigma compared to men (Jenkins & Carpenter-Song, 2008). Additionally, only few literatures have focused on the impact of culture on mental illness among patients' with schizophrenia (Ran et al 2021) with none among female parents with schizophrenia in the context of parenting. The available ones on the relationship of culture and stigma either evaluated on the cross-cultural differences in the levels of stigma (Abdullahi & Brown, 2011) or on the ethno-cultural beliefs, values and norms that shape stigma of mental illness (Ran et al 2021).…”

“…Additionally, only few literatures have focused on the impact of culture on mental illness among patients' with schizophrenia (Ran et al 2021) with none among female parents with schizophrenia in the context of parenting. The available ones on the relationship of culture and stigma either evaluated on the cross-cultural differences in the levels of stigma (Abdullahi & Brown, 2011) or on the ethno-cultural beliefs, values and norms that shape stigma of mental illness (Ran et al 2021). As Cultural beliefs and practices are also integral to understanding stigma of mental illness among special group of individual, cultural practices and beliefs that further compounds stigma among female parents (mothers) with schizophrenia have not been explored in Nigeria.…”