Stigma in patients with schizophrenia receiving community mental health care: a review of qualitative studies

Autor: Bart Hansen, Annelien Mestdagh
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Popis: PURPOSE The aim of this review is to identify consistent themes among the qualitative literature on stigma as experienced by community mental health patients with schizophrenia. With the treatment focus of schizophrenia nowadays shifting more and more towards community-based mental health care, professionals need to be aware of the increased vulnerability of their clients in their social environment as a result of stigma towards their disease. In-depth knowledge on stigma is critical in order to offer a qualitative dignifying community mental health care. METHODS A systematic search of the qualitative literature in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO and Francis was performed to review the subjective experiences and ideas on stigma in outpatients with schizophrenia. RESULTS Three major themes were identified in 18 studies and need to be taken into consideration when implementing an adequate community mental health care: (i) the continuing existence of stigma inherent in the health care setting, (ii) the importance of relational aspects of stigma encounters in daily life and (iii) the significance of the behavioural aspects related to previous stigma experiences and beliefs among patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite much effort in community treatment, patients still experience stigma and discrimination. Community mental health care professionals should not only be aware of structural problems in mental health care, but should also display considerable attention towards the relational and behavioural aspects in their clients‟ life concerning stigma. Furthermore, they have the crucial role in the community to raise awareness about stigma in order to improve their clients‟ acceptance in society. ispartof: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology vol:49 issue:1 pages:79-87 ispartof: location:Germany status: published
Databáze: OpenAIRE