Stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses

Abstract

Cilj ovog rada je utvr�����ivanje stepena i vidova stigmatizacije osoba sa različitim mentalnim poremećajima u opštoj populaciji. Za utv�����rivanje stavova o odre�����enim mentalnim poremećajima (depresija, fobija, schizofrenija, demencija, poremećaji ishrane, alkoholizam i narkomanija) korišćen je strukturisani intervju, zadavan u formi upitnika. Od ispitanika je traženo da odgovore koliko se svaka od osam izjava odnosi na osobe sa navedenim poremećajima. Izjave se odnose na opasnost po druge, nepredvidljivost, teškoću uspostavljanja razgovora sa tim osobama, da li se osećaju drugačije od većine ljudi, da li treba samo sebe da krive za stanje u kome se nalaze, da li mogu da se saberu ukoliko to žele, da li će se oporaviti sa tretmanom ili se nikada neće u potpunosti oporaviti. Za svaku izjavu ispitanici su birali odgovor na petostepenoj skali Likertovog tipa. Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 336 ispitanika, oba pola (206 žena i 130 muškaraca) uzrasta iznad 16 godina. Analiza rezultata pokazuje da kao najopasnije (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), kao najmanje predvidive (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94) i kao osobe s kojima se najteže razgovara (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) ispitanici opažaju osobe s bolestima zavisnosti (narkomanija i alkoholizam) i sa shizofrenijom. Ispitanici tako�����e opažaju da su osobe s bolestima zavisnosti u najvećoj meri same krive za stanje u kome se nalaze (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). Osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom smatraju se osobama čije se stanje ne može popraviti tretmanom (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) i osobama koje se nikada ne mogu oporaviti (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). Na osnovu dobijenih reyultata mo\e se yaklju;iti da su najstigmatizovaniji poremećaji bolesti zavisnosti i shizofrenija. Osobe s bolestima zavisnosti i shizofrenijom se opažaju kao opasne, nepredvidljive i osobe s kojima se teško razgovara, što obeshrabruje uspostavljanje bližeg kontakta s njima. Stavovi o prognozi i tretmanu u pogledu različitih mentalnih bolesti su generalno realistični. Osobe za koje se smatra da se neće popraviti sa tretmanom i koje se nikada neće oporaviti su osobe s demencijom i shizofrenijom. Ovi nalazi ukazuju da postoji razumevanje nekih aspekata mentalnih poremećaja na kojima se buduće anti stigma kampanje mogu bazirati. ,The aim od the study was to determine the forms and the degree of stigmatization by general public of persons suffering from different kinds of mental disorders. Aiming at exploring attitudes towards several mental disorders (depression, phobia, schizophrenia, dementia, nutrition disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse) structured interview, applied in the form of questionnaire, was used.. Respondents were presented with eight statements and asked to asses the relevance of each statement for each of the mentioned disorders. The statements claimed that persons suffering from some disorder i) presented a threat for other people, ii) were unpredictable, iii) had difficulties to get engaged in conversation, iv) felt odd, v) should blame themselves alone for their condition, vi) could not compose themselves at will, vii) would not get better by any treatment and viii) they would never entirely recover. For each statement the respondents could chose an answer from five levels Lickert type scale. The sample comprised 336 respondents (206 females and 130 males) who were all 16 years and older. Analyses of the results obtained showed that as the most dangerous (AS 1.92; AS 2.05; AS 2.02), the least predictable (AS 2.01; AS 2.08; AS 1.94), and the most difficult to engage in conversation with (AS 2.14; AS 2.17; AS 2.17) the respondents assessed to be persons suffering from addiction (drug abuse and alchocolism) or schizophrenia. Addicts were also assessed to be themselves the most responsible for their condition (AS 2.24; AS 2.30). The condition of persons suffering from dementia or schizophrenia was considered to be beyond recuperation by treatment (AS 3.17; AS 3.00) and the recovery of these persons was considered impossible. (AS 3.57; AS 3.59). The results lead to conclusion that addictions and schizophrenia are the most stigmatized disorders. Persons suffering from these disorders are deemed to be threatening, unpredictable, difficult to talk with, which discourages close bonding with them. Opinions on prognosis and treatment for different mental illnesses are realist cal in general. Persons who were assessed to stand no chance for improvement by treatment or for recovery are those suffering from dementia and schizophrenia. These results indicate that general public understands some aspects of mental disorders, what could be useful for anti-stigma campaigns in future