Cross-national variations in reported discrimination among people treated for major depression worldwide: The ASPEN/INDIGO international study

Background: No study has so far explored differences in discrimination reported by people with major depressive disorder (MDD) across countries and cultures. Aims: To (a) compare reported discrimination across different countries, and (b) explore the relative weight of individual and contextual factors in explaining levels of reported discrimination in people with MDD. Method: Cross-sectional multisite international survey (34 countries worldwide) of 1082 people with MDD. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were assessed by the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC). Countries were classified according to their rating on the Human Development Index (HDI). Multilevel negative binomial and Poisson models were used. Results: People living in 'very high HDI' countries reported higher discrimination than those in 'medium/low HDI' countries. Variation in reported discrimination across countries was only partially explained by individual-level variables. The contribution of country-level variables was significant for anticipated discrimination only. Conclusions: Contextual factors play an important role in anticipated discrimination. Country-specific interventions should be implemented to prevent discrimination towards people with MDD

Anti stigma campaigns: really useful and effective? A critical review of the anti-stigma initiatives conducted in Italy

Aim. Stigma related to mental illness determines important negative consequences to psychiatric patients. It is important to determine if the number of anti-stigma campaigns are effective and useful. This paper aims to identify anti-stigma projects carried out in Italy in the last ten years and to evaluate their effectiveness. Method. Anti-stigma campaigns conducted in Italy in the last decade have been scrutinized. These campaigns have been identified through direct contact with promoting organizations, by a web search and by a search conducted on electronic scientific databases (PsycINFO, Medline and Embase). Anti-stigma campaigns thus identified have been classified according to a series of key methodological criteria proposed by the international literature. Results. 71 anti-stigma programs have been identified. These projects are significantly heterogeneous in both their conception and practical realization. A lack of information on the results obtained by the vast majority of the anti-stigma programs was found, thus not allowing to gain any insight on their effectiveness. Most of the reviewed programs did not follow procedures based on scientific evidence. Discussions. Anti-stigma programs should be founded on rigorous methodological principles and on the best evidence available; this is needed in order to create efforts with the highest rate of possible success

La ricerca, ovvero cosa ci dicono (e cosa non ci dicono) le evidenze scientifiche nell'ambito dei trattamenti psicosociali sull'esordio psicotico.

La ricerca, ovvero cosa ci dicono (e cosa non ci dicono) le evidenze scientifiche nell'ambito dei trattamenti psicosociali sull'esordio psicotico

Self-stigma as a mediator between social capital and empowerment among people with major depressive disorder in Europe : the ASPEN study

Individual social capital has been recognized as having an important role for health and well-being. We tested the hypothesis that poor social capital increases internalized stigma and, in turn, can reduce empowerment among people with major depressive disorder (MDD).  This is a cross-sectional multisite study conducted on a sample of 516 people with MDD in 19 European countries. Structural Equation Models were developed to examine the direct and indirect effects of self-stigma and social capital on empowerment.  Social capital and self-stigma accounted for 56% of the variability in empowerment. Higher social capital was related to lower self-stigma (r=-0.72, P<0.001) which, in turn, partially mediated the relationship between social capital and empowerment (r=0.38, P<0.001).  Social capital plays a key role in the appraisal of empowerment, both directly and through the indirect effect mediated by self-stigma. In order to improve empowerment of people with MDD, we identify strategies to foster individual social capital, and to overcome the negative consequences related to self-stigma for attainment of life goals

Prendersi cura delle famiglie

Presentazione dei nuovi servizi per la famiglia e per il sostegno alla genitorialit\ue0. pp.11-4

Depression prevention and mental health promotion interventions:Is stigma taken into account? An overview of the Italian initiatives

Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern in European countries and Italian epidemiological studies confirm that despite being highly prevalent in the general population and in clinical settings, their recognition and treatment are often inadequate (Balestrieri et al. 2004). Research suggested that the public stigma of mental disorders (defined as the general public's negative attitudes towards individuals with mental disorders) increases self-stigma (e.g. internalized attitudes held by people suffering from a mental disorder) with the consequences that individuals avoid seeking treatment and increase their social isolation (Kanter et al. 2008). In a survey on the Australian general population (Griffiths et al. 2008), personal stigma was associated with greater current psychological distress and lower depression literacy