Stigmatic beliefs towards persons with dementia: comparing Israeli and Greek college students

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1393-1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perla Werner ◽  
Argyroula E. Kalaitzaki ◽  
Naama Spitzer ◽  
Lilach Raviv-Turgeman ◽  
Sofia Koukouli ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectives:Increasing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) awareness and decreasing stigmatic beliefs among the general public are core goals of National Dementia Strategy programs. College students are one of the most important targeted populations for achieving this goal. The aim of the current study was to examine AD public stigma among Israeli and Greek college students.Design:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among college students in Israel and Greece using vignette methodology.Participants:Seven hundred and fifty three college students – 213 Israeli and 540 Greek – participated in the study.Measurements:Three dimensions of stigma were assessed (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral) together with health beliefs regarding AD and socio-demographic characteristics.Results:Low levels of stigma were found in both samples, with Israeli students reporting statistically significant higher levels of stigmatic beliefs than Greek students in all the dimensions, except with willingness to help. Similar to stigma in the area of mental illness, the findings in both countries supported an attributional model for AD public stigma, i.e. positive correlations were found among cognitive attributions, negative emotions, and discriminatory behaviors in both countries. Differences between the countries emerged as a significant determinant of cognitive, as well as of negative emotions and willingness to help.Conclusion:Our findings might help researchers and clinicians to apply the knowledge gained in the area of mental illness to the development of effective ways of reducing AD public stigma. Moreover, they allowed us to frame the understanding of AD public stigma within a socio-cultural context.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
R. Amatya ◽  
P. Chakrabortty ◽  
J.B. Khattri ◽  
P. Thapa ◽  
K. Ramesh

Introduction: Stigma is a sign of disgrace or discredit that sets a person apart from others. Stigma has detrimental effect on stigmatized persons’ life which may even hamper or delay the help seeking behavior, which ultimately increases the duration of untreated mental illness. Material And Method: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 90 psychiatry outpatients attending Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Discrimination and disclosure sub-scale of the Stigma scale and ISMI- 10 was administered to measure the extent of stigma. Help seeking delay was assessed using pre- structured questionnaire. Prediction of help seeking delay due to stigma was identified using logistic regression. Results: Low mean value on the subscales of the Stigma scale indicated low public stigma in the participants. 34% of the study population exhibited moderate to high self stigma. The full model for initial help seeking delay using logistic regression explained 21.8% (Cox and Snell R square) and 31.5% (Nagelkerke R square) of the variance in initial help seeking delay while the model for the recent help seeking delay explained 13.6% (Cox and Snell R square) and 20.8 % (Nagelkerke R square) of the variance in recent help seeking delay. The strongest predictor of both initial and recent help seeking delay was discrimination subscale (OR= 1.11; 95% CI= 1.033- 1.195). Conclusion: Discrimination experienced due to stigmatization leads to delay in help seeking behavior. Public stigma experienced by stigmatized individual acts as a stronger predictor for help seeking delay than self stigma.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 847-851
Author(s):  
Nithyanandham Masilamani ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) induced by new ß coronavirus MERS-(CoV) had first been described in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. MERS-CoV communication inside the population is often identified with clustered households and cramped communal spaces. The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of MERS-CoV among dental students in India. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 100 dental college students in Chennai. The self-designed questionnaires contained ten questions focused on the knowledge and awareness of MERS-CoV amongst dental college students. Questionnaires were circulated through an online website survey planet. After the responses were received from 100 participants, data were collected and analyzed, .87% are aware of MERS-CoV through media 13% from professional channels. 84%are aware of the clinical manifestation of MERS-CoV. 81%Are aware of the mode of transmission of MERS-CoV. 76%are aware of the preventive measures against MERS -CoV.68%. Are aware of the incubation period of MERS-CoV. 74%aware of PCR as a diagnostic test for MERS-CoV. This study concluded that dental students had strong awareness and knowledge of MERS. Also, there are a few differences in information and behaviours that require change. Large-scale health educational programs on MERS also should be facilitated by professional organizations to expand their reach and to strengthen knowledge to have a positive impact on their behaviour.


Author(s):  
S. C. C. Oudejans ◽  
M. E. Spits ◽  
J. van Weeghel

Abstract Introduction Stigmatization impedes the social integration of persons recovering from mental illnesses. Little is known about characteristics of the stigmatized person that lessen or aggravate public stigma. Purpose This study investigates which characteristics of persons with mental illnesses (i.e. with a depression or a psychotic disorder) might increase or decrease the likelihood of public stigma. Methods Over 2,000 adults read one of sixteen vignettes describing a person with a depressive disorder or a psychotic disorder and answered a set of items measuring social distance. Results The person who was employed (vs. unemployed), or whose neighbors did not experience domestic noise disturbance (vs. disturbance) elicited significantly less social distance. Also persons with a depressive disorder elicited less social distance, vs. persons with a psychotic disorder. Conclusion Employment and good housing circumstances may destigmatize persons coping with mental illnesses. Mental health and social services should encourage paid employment, quality housing and other paths to community integration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S577-S577 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Ouali ◽  
R. Jomli ◽  
R. Nefzi ◽  
H. Ouertani ◽  
F. Nacef

IntroductionMental patients generally internalize some of the negative conceptions about how most people view them: they might be considered incompetent or untrustworthy or believe that people would not want to hire, or marry someone with mental illness. A lot of research on stigma has been conducted in western countries; however, little is still known on the situation in Arab-Muslim societies.ObjectivesTo evaluate social stigma as viewed by patients suffering from severe mental illness (SMI)MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study on clinically stabilized patients with schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder (BD) according to DSM IV, who were interviewed in our out-patients clinic with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, containing 8 opinions on the social inclusion and stigmatization of psychiatric patients, with special reference to the local cultural context (e.g.: “It is better to hide mental illness in order to preserve the reputation of my family”)ResultsWe included 104 patients, 51% with schizophrenia and 49% with BD. Mean age was 38.4 years (18–74 years); 59.6% were males. Overall social stigma scores were high. Social stigma in patients was correlated with gender, age, place of residence and diagnosis. Patients with BD showed significantly less social stigma than patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionOur results show the need for a better understanding of this phenomenon in patients with SMI, but also within Tunisian society, in order to elaborate anti stigma strategies adapted to the local context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Author(s):  
GISELA DEMO ◽  
ELUIZA ALBERTO DE MORAIS WATANABE ◽  
DANIELLE CHRISTINE VASCONCELOS CHAUVET ◽  
KÉSIA ROZZETT

ABSTRACT Purpose: The objectives of this study were to validate the Customer Relationship Management Scale (CRMS) in France, and to compare the French model to both Brazilian and American ones. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Based on the premise that scientific measurement instruments may be used to reflect customers' perception about the organization actions and effectiveness, it is important to validate a scale within a multidimensional cultural context. Therefore, the applicability of the instrument shall be possible in different contexts, longitudinally, with diverse subjects, thus providing external validity and generalization. Key methodological aspects: This is a descriptive, instrumental, quantitative, cross-sectional survey where we used the Customer Relationship Management Scale (CRMS). The sampling method was non-probabilistic convenience and the total of answered questionnaires added up to 454. We carried out a quantitative research through Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Summary of key results: The results obtained in the analyses allow us to conclude that the relation between clients and companies is really two-dimensional and it involves two distinct factors, namely Loyalty and Customer Service. The scale validated in Brazil and in the United States remained stable, in terms of validity (quality of items) and reliability, when validated in a distinct context, that is, France. This makes its application in French organizations possible, improving its external validity and generalization. Key considerations/conclusions: The main objective of this study was reached and an instrument to assess what aspects French customers rank as relevant regarding CRM was produced showing theoretical consistency, reliability and construct validity as well.


Author(s):  
Samira M. Mahboub ◽  
Rahaf A. Aleyadhi ◽  
Reema I. Aldrees ◽  
Shahad S. Almuhanna

Background: Mental illness can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, and residence. Studying the attitude and knowledge about mental illnesses among university students is important, because they are the future decision makers dealing with such problems. The aim of this study was to assess level of knowledge and attitude towards mental illnesses among health and non-health university students in Riyadh.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study on students of the governmental universities in Riyadh with both health and non-health speciality. The total sample size was 587 students. The questionnaire was designed electronically, and the link was distributed through social media. It included socio-demographic questions, 17 questions to assess knowledge and 22 questions to assess the attitudes. The statistical tests used were chi square, independent sample t-test, spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression tests.Results: More than half of the participants had a positive attitude toward mental illness (52%). Only 13.46% of university students had good knowledge about mental illness. Significant higher level of good knowledge and positive attitude were reported among health college students compared to non-health (24.7% versus 7.9% for good knowledge and 60.8% versus 48.3 for positive attitude respectively). Attitude towards mental illness can be successfully predicted by using the knowledge score about mental illness and the type of college.Conclusion: Low percentage of university students had good knowledge about mental illness and their attitude towards mental illness was generally positive. Health college students had better attitude and knowledge about mental illness than non-health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-337
Author(s):  
Mariana Tumin ◽  
Md Mizanur Rahman ◽  
Zulkifli Jantan

People with mental illness often encounter stigma and discrimination. Mental illness-related stigma and discrimination represent the enormous obstacles that stand in the way of delivering mental health care. Little is known about stigma and discrimination toward mental illness in rural Sarawak. Thus, this study aimed to identify the stigma and discrimination towards mental illness among Sarawak’s rural community and the factors affecting them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 840 respondent adults aged 21 and above. A validated Community Attitude towards Mental Illness (CAMI) and Discrimination towards Mental Illness questionnaire was used for data collection. A Two-way Multiple Analysis of Covariance (Two-way MANCOVA) test was carried out to determine how much gender and education level influence stigma and discrimination towards mentally ill patients. Analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference of standardised stigma and discrimination scores with education level (p<.001), but not with gender (p>.05). Age had a positive linear effect on both stigma and discrimination, whereas experience with mentally ill patients negatively affected both stigma and discrimination. Individuals with a lower level of education, older in age, and lesser experience in dealing with the mentally ill would have a higher level of stigma and discrimination towards mental illness. Thus, targeted and practical strategies need to be organised and implemented to combat mental illness-related stigma and discrimination.


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