Risk factors associated with experienced stigma among people diagnosed with mental ill-health: a cross-sectional study
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Risk factors associated with experienced stigma among people diagnosed with mental ill-health: a cross-sectional study C. Nugent 1
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& M. Rosato & L. Hughes & G. Leavey
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# The Author(s) 2020
Abstract
Purpose: to examine the relationship between religiosity, social support, trauma, quality of life and experienced stigma of mental illness amongst a population diagnosed with mental ill-health. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of day service users in Northern Ireland (n = 295) covering a range of issues including religiosity, social support, quality of life and prior experience of trauma. Stigma was measured using a recognised stigma scale. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine risk factors associated with experienced stigma. Results: Univariate analysis showed significant associations between stigma and age, number of friends, social support, quality of life and prior experience of trauma. Age, quality of life, and trauma remained independently associated with stigma in a multivariate logistic regression model (x2(12) = 98.40, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Younger people, those with less social support, prior experience of trauma and with poorer quality of life are at increased risk of experiencing stigma related to their diagnosis of mental illness. The findings provide further understanding of stigma and are useful for those overseeing programmes to improve access to mental health treatment. Keywords Mental illness . Stigma . Religiosity . Quality of Life . Trauma . Social Support
Introduction Stigma and discrimination pose significant problems for people diagnosed with mental illness and may lead to real-life disadvantages, including poor access to mental and physical
* C. Nugent [email protected] L. Hughes [email protected]
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Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing; School of Psychology, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland
Psychiatric Quarterly
healthcare [1, 2], problems gaining or maintaining employment [3], difficulty accessing accommodation [4] and reduced life-expectancy [5, 6]. Mental illness may also impact negatively on stigmatised individuals by inducing self-stigma, self-judgement and reinforcement of negative stereotypes [7]. These can trigger low self-esteem [8], a why-try effect and loss of confidence when pursuing personal goals [5]. Self-perception of stigma amongst people with mental illness often leads to poorer attitudes towards psychotherapy [6], or even avoidance of professional help-seeking [9, 10] which in turn may lead to prolongation of symptoms and ultimately worse outcomes, including increased mortality.
Factors associated with Stigma Previous research suggests younger people report more mental illness-related stigma [11, 12], while those with higher levels of education are more likely to conceal their diagnosis [9]. Some studies show a gender effect but the evidence is inconsistent [10, 13–18]. Some evidence suggests a mediating role for social support, with increased peer support helping to challenge inter
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