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Perceived stigma among individuals with common mental disorders.
Jordi Alonso1, Andrea Buron, Sonia Rojas-Farreras
1Health Services Research Unit, Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica, (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain. jalonso@imim.es
Journal of Affective Disorders
|March 17, 2009
Summary
Individuals with common mental disorders experience stigma, particularly those with lower education, who are married, or unemployed. This perceived stigma significantly reduces quality of life and functional abilities, highlighting the need for public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
- Social Science
Background:
- Common mental disorders affect a significant portion of the population.
- Social distance is known for severe mental disorders, but data on stigma in common mental disorders is limited.
- Understanding stigma in common mental disorders is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with perceived stigma in individuals with common mental disorders.
- To assess the impact of perceived stigma on quality of life and functional limitations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional household survey of 8796 adults across six European countries.
- Interview included questions on perceived stigma (embarrassment, discrimination) for those with significant disability.
- Assessed quality of life (SF-12), work/activity limitations, and social limitations.
Main Results:
- 14.8% of participants with a 12-month mental disorder and significant disability reported perceived stigma.
- Stigma was linked to lower education, being married/cohabiting, and unemployment.
- Perceived stigma correlated with reduced quality of life (SF-12 PCS score -4.65), increased work/role limitations, and social limitations.
Conclusions:
- Lower education, marital status, and unemployment are correlates of perceived stigma in common mental disorders.
- Perceived stigma significantly diminishes quality of life and role functioning.
- Combating mental health stigma must be a public health priority, requiring awareness from health professionals and society.
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