Villani M, Kovess-Masféty V. Comparing stigma between French people experiencing schizophrenia versus bipolar disorders.
Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024;
70:679-688. [PMID:
38279558 DOI:
10.1177/00207640231223428]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Among the multiple challenges that people experiencing mental illness in general, and schizophrenia or bipolar disorders in particular, have to face, stigma appears to be one of the most difficult to tackle. In France, the body of research about stigma regarding people experiencing schizophrenia or bipolar disorders is growing, but not as much as in other western countries.
AIMS
In this context, our study aims to explore and compare stigma in French people experiencing schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, along with their respective mental healthcare system experience, in order to better address them within public health policies.
METHODS
20 French mental health service users experiencing schizophrenia and 20 experiencing bipolar disorders answered the Stigma Scale, which assesses three dimensions of stigma (discrimination, difficulties of divulgation and lack of positive aspects). A semi-structured interview was used to collect information about the experience of the mental healthcare system (level of information, access to diagnosis, treatment, access to psychoeducation, etc.).
RESULTS
People experiencing schizophrenia and people experiencing bipolar disorders are different populations in terms of social impairment. However, they share a comparable negative experience of the mental healthcare system and a comparable level of information about their illness, to the exception of diagnosis divulgation, as people experiencing bipolar disorders have a better access to their diagnosis. People experiencing schizophrenia perceive a higher actual discrimination than people experiencing bipolar disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
Public health policies should take into account the strong perception of actual discrimination of people experiencing schizophrenia, with capitalizing on what seems beneficial for people experiencing bipolar disorders.
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