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Self‐stigma by people diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety: Cross‐sectional survey design
Author(s) -
Hasan Abd AlHadi,
Musleh Mahmoud
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/ppc.12213
Subject(s) - cross sectional study , stigma (botany) , anxiety , depression (economics) , psychiatry , psychology , clinical psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , social stigma , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
Aim This study investigated self‐attitudes towards schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. Methods A survey was conducted with 564 people with a schizophrenia, depression and anxiety who are currently being treated at a psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan. Results The research found that stigma towards schizophrenia, depression and anxiety was based around three factors: preconceived stereotypes, personal responsibility/blame and the perceived inability of a patient to recover. Schizophrenia, in particular, was linked more strongly to negative stereotypes and an inability to recover and less associated to personal responsibility/blame in comparison to depression and anxiety. Discussion Three identical stigma factors emerged for each diagnosis which reflected themes identified in previous literature. People with schizophrenia are seen as more dangerous and less likely to recover than those suffering from other mental illness. Anxiety was seen most favourably by the self; it was associated with less negative stereotypes and seen as more likely to cure. Interestingly, anxiety and depression were seen almost identically. Conclusion The self‐perception of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, have important implications for the planning of anti‐stigma and awareness raising programmes. By gaining a thorough understanding of these perceptions and the rationale behind them, it may be possible to develop effective, tailor‐made interventions.