Discrimination and social stigma against people with mental illnesses in Argentina
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19273139 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mijal Mitelman (0000-0003-2540-9761, Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, corresponding author), Abigail Chirazi (Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Amber Schmollgruber (Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Eduardo A Leiderman (0000-0001-5870-093X, Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 334-341 |
| Publication date | 2023-03-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Social Psychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0020-7640 • E-ISSN: 1741-2854 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00207640221089533 |
| PMID | 35422147 |
| OpenAlex | W4223977274 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
BACKGROUND: Individuals with mental and neurological illnesses face stigma and discrimination every day. There are only a few studies regarding the degree of discrimination in the comparison between the illnesses, and no recent research has been found in Argentina about this topic. AIMS: The aim of this research is to study and compare stigma and discrimination toward people with mental illnesses (schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and bipolar disorder) and with neurological disorders (epilepsy) in Argentina, while analyzing the social distance toward them. The level of responsibility attributed to individuals with these disorders were also assessed and compared. METHOD: Individuals from Buenos Aires, Argentina, were surveyed in order to measure the social distance given to people with mental illnesses and a neurological disease. For that purpose a modified version of the Bogardus scale was used, with a sample of 500 individuals contacted online in January 2021. RESULTS: Social distance toward people with mental illnesses was higher than those with a neurological disorder (epilepsy). A significant difference was found in the level of responsibility attributed to people with substance use disorder in comparison to the other illnesses. On the contrary, there were no significant differences of discrimination according to age or sex. Finally, the research outcomes showed that people with substance use disorder are the most discriminated against and stigmatized. CONCLUSION: A significant level of discrimination was found against individuals with mental disorders and, specially, toward people with substance use disorder. Moreover, they are perceived as responsible for their disorder. For this reason, anti-stigma campaigns should be directed to end the misconceptions toward the most discriminated groups. More support is needed to counteract the stigmatization and exclusion of individuals with mental and neurological disorders in our society
Bipolar disorder · Cognition · Disease · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Infectious disease (medical specialty) · Mental health · Mental illness · Prevalence of mental disorders · Psychiatry · Schizophrenia (object-oriented programming) · Social distance · Social stigma · Stigma (botany) · Clinical Psychology · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Schizophrenia research and treatment
Mental illness stigma
Stigmatisation of people with mental illnesses
Mental health in the Covid-19 pandemic
Mental illness and employment discrimination
Measuring Mental Illness Stigma
Biogenetic explanations and public acceptance of mental illness
Understanding the factor structure of the public stigma of substance use disorder
The value of online surveys
How do attitudes toward mental health treatment vary by age, gender, and ethnicity/race in young adults
Mental Health Stigma
Factors Influencing Social Distance Toward People with Mental Illness
The stigma of mental disorders
Conceptualizing Stigma
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |