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Meilsmeidth G, Trigueiro MJ, Simões-Silva V, Simões de Almeida R, Portugal P, Gomes PV, de Sousa S, Campos F, Monteiro P, Soutelo AP, Marques A. Assessing the efficacy of the 'Bicho De 7 Cabeças' B-learning school-based program in enhancing mental health literacy and reducing stigma. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:93. [PMID: 38395937 PMCID: PMC10893733 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01591-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents has a considerable impact on daily life, restricting tasks and diminishing overall quality of life while potentially leading to stigmatization. This study aims to measure the impact of a mental health literacy intervention program, called "Bicho de 7 Cabeças" project, in b-learning format, on the increase of knowledge and the decrease of stigma in young people from Póvoa de Varzim, in Portugal. A quasi-experimental study was conducted, from November 2022 to May 2023, involving an experimental group ("Bicho de 7 Cabeças" protocol) and an active control group (informational brochures), utilizing a pre-test/post-test design. Mental Health Literacy Measure-MHLM, Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale-MHPK-10, Mental Illness Knowledge Schedule-MAKS, Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale-RIBS, and Community Attitudes toward People with Mental Illness-CAMI were used. A total of 504 young students from the 9th grade enroll in this study, with a mean age around 14 years old. There is a significant difference between stigma (p <.001) and knowledge (p <.001) scores at baseline and follow-up. The results of this study shows that interventions aimed at young people for the promotion of mental health literacy and stigma reduction are needed and more initiatives should be implemented in schools to address these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislene Meilsmeidth
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Trigueiro
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Simões-Silva
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Simões de Almeida
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Portugal
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Veloso Gomes
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara de Sousa
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Campos
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Monteiro
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Soutelo
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Marques
- LabRP- CIR, ESS, Polytechnic University of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400 4200 - 072, Porto, Portugal
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Simões de Almeida R, Trigueiro MJ, Portugal P, de Sousa S, Simões-Silva V, Campos F, Silva M, Marques A. Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in a Municipality in the North of Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3318. [PMID: 36834014 PMCID: PMC9962300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Portugal has Europe's second-highest prevalence of psychiatric illnesses, and this is the reason why mental health literacy (MHL) and stigma should be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the mental health literacy and stigma levels among different groups of people from Póvoa de Varzim, a municipality in the north of Portugal. Students, retired people, and professionals (education, social, and healthcare fields) were recruited using a convenience sample from June to November 2022. Participants' MHL levels were evaluated using the Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale (MHPK), Mental Health Literacy Measure (MHLM) and Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS). Stigma levels were evaluated using Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness (CAMI) and the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS). A total of 928 questionnaires were filed. The respondents included 65.70% of women, a mean age of 43.63 (±26.71) years and 9.87 (±4.39) years of school education. MHL increased with age, education level and was higher in women (p < 0.001). A higher level of MHL was seen in health professionals (p < 0.001). Findings revealed that older people stigmatized people with mental illness more (p < 0.001), and the female gender stigmatize less (p < 0.001). In addition, results showed that stigma decreased with higher mental health literacy (r between 0.11 and 0.38; p < 0.001). To conclude, specific campaigns that promote mental health literacy should be tailored to specific profiles within this population to address those that have more stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Simões de Almeida
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Trigueiro
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Portugal
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara de Sousa
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University Hospital Center of São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Simões-Silva
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Campos
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Silva
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - António Marques
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
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Lopes I, de Almeida RS, Marques A, Curral R, de Sousa S. Validation of the Portuguese version of community attitudes toward people with mental illness (CAMI). Porto Biomed J 2022; 7:e175. [PMID: 38304159 PMCID: PMC10830066 DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Stigma remains a feature that influences the lifestyle of people with mental illness. Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination are still prevalent in these people's life. Stigma is considered a public health problem that occurs unconsciously in society, categorizing people. Portugal is the seventh-worst country concerning stigma in Mental Health. There have been few improvements in reducing stigma over time, and there is a great need to create investigations and validate instruments that measure stigma in the population. Aim This study aims to address the gaps in the level of studies and normative instruments that measure the stigma of the Portuguese population in the face of mental illness. It, therefore, aims to adapt and validate community attitudes toward people with mental illness (CAMI) culturally and examine its psychometric properties. Method The 27-item version of CAMI was translated and back-translated into English, which was analyzed and evaluated by a panel of experts. A sociodemographic survey and CAMI were applied in an online format, in which participated 427 adults representing the Portuguese population in general. Finally, the reliability and validity of the instrument were analyzed. Results CAMI showed positive values of reliability and validity but not optimal. The confirmatory factor analysis values satisfactory values that indicate good quality of fit: x2/df=3.296; comparative fit index = 0.601; goodness of fit index = 0.817; and root mean square error of approximation = 0.073, indicates good quality of fit. Cronbach alpha was different for each factor, but it was positive. Spearman coefficient (ρ = -0.343) obtained a negative but consistent value. Conclusions This study contributed to the achievement and validation of new measures to assess the stigma of the general population related to people with mental illness. We must continue to analyze this theme, complete the validation of this instrument, and understand the existing levels of stigma, its predominance in society, and the possible creation and implementation of new measures that support literacy in mental illness and anti-stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Lopes
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), Psychosocial Rehabilitation Lab, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Simões de Almeida
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), Psychosocial Rehabilitation Lab, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Santa Maria Health School
| | - António Marques
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), Psychosocial Rehabilitation Lab, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rosário Curral
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University Hospital Center of São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara de Sousa
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), Psychosocial Rehabilitation Lab, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Sousa SD, Marques A, Rosário C, Queirós C. Stigmatizing attitudes in relatives of people with schizophrenia: a study using the Attribution Questionnaire AQ-27. Trends Psychiatry Psychother 2012; 34:186-97. [DOI: 10.1590/s2237-60892012000400004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Family members of people with mental disorders can contribute to stigmatization. Because of the lack of adequate information and resources, and the fatigue resulting from daily care, the family can reinforce social exclusion of the mentally ill and disbelieve recovery. Furthermore, family members may also suffer from self-stigma, experiencing a decrease in their own self-esteem and self-worth. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of stigmatizing attitudes towards patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in a group of relatives of patients with this disorder. METHODS: In this exploratory study, we surveyed 40 family members of patients with schizophrenia seen at the Community Psychiatry Unit of the Psychiatry Department at Centro Hospitalar de São João (CHSJ), in Porto, Portugal, using a preliminary version of the Attribution Questionnaire AQ-27 in Portuguese. RESULTS: The questionnaire dimensions with the highest mean scores were help, pity, and coercion, followed by segregation, anger, avoidance, dangerousness, responsibility, and fear. These results suggest that relatives do not see people with schizophrenia as responsible for their illness and that they show concern and willingness to help. They avoid but do not fear people with schizophrenia and neither consider them dangerous. CONCLUSION: The participants expressed positive, little stigmatizing attitudes towards people with schizophrenia, probably as a result of their familiarity with severe mental disorder, an adequate attribution process, and low levels of perceived dangerousness. However, the high scores of coercion, pity, and segregation may reflect concealed stigmas that may influence the self-determination of the mentally ill, suggesting the need for psychoeducational interventions aimed at family members.
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