Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to devaluation/discrimination and rejection experiences among users of mental health services.

• BACKGROUND: A major goal in mental health research and policy is to identify ways to reduce stigma among persons with mental illness. AIMS: The aims of the present study were to (1) investigate the prevalence of rejection and devaluation/discrimination in a cross-sectional sample of 200 individuals with experiences of mental illness and (2) investigate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical, client characteristics and perceived devaluation/discrimination and experiences of rejection. METHODS: A total of 200 subjects in current contact with mental health services or with earlier experiences of this were interviewed regarding beliefs about devaluation/discrimination and rejection experiences. RESULTS: The results showed that subjects with a higher degree of global functioning perceived less devaluation/discrimination. With regard to rejections experiences associations were found between rejection experiences and global functioning, number of admissions to inpatient psychiatric care and current contact with social services. CONCLUSION: Further research should investigate the causal relationship between stigma experiences and psychosocial functioning. To understand what consequences perceived devaluation/discrimination has for the afflicted, a psychological and social approach in the research must be taken into consideration.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Aged

80 and over

Attitude to Health

Cross-Sectional Studies

Demography

Female

Humans

Male

Mental Disorders

epidemiology

therapy

Mental Health Services

utilization

Middle Aged

Patient Acceptance of Health Care

statistics & numerical data

Prejudice

Prevalence

Questionnaires

Rejection (Psychology)

discrimination

devaluation

stigma

mental illness

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)