Cultural Factors Influencing Mental Health Stigma

Perceptions of Mental Illness (Pomi) in Pakistani Emerging Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID3265541
AuthorsSalman Shaheen Ahmad (0000-0002-5005-9321, University of Miami, corresponding author), Stephen W Koncsol (Barry University)
Year2022
Volume13
Issue5
Pages401
Publication date2022-04-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel13050401
OpenAlexW4225146279
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited51

Pakistan has a fast-growing, young, and highly religious population. Mental health literacy and care in Pakistan do not meet the population's needs, and mental health stigma (MHS) is cited as the cause. Explanations for MHS across cultures include collectivism, and sociocultural-religious/spiritual beliefs and values surrounding mental illness and those who experience it. MHS interventions and campaigns that aim to improve help-seeking behaviors require insight into the emic perspectives of each target population. Although these perspectives have been elusive for Pakistanis, they are more available today due to growing interest in studying and improving Pakistani mental health. This cross-sectional study of 92 Pakistani emerging adults explored whether collectivism was associated with stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness. This study also piloted the Perceptions of Mental Illness (POMI) questionnaire, a 44-item true/false survey customized to the Pakistani context, to assess how mental health knowledge, perceptions, exposure, and help-seeking preferences related to stigmatizing attitudes. Results indicated that the POMI provided unique insights into Pakistani beliefs and attitudes that relate to both stigmatizing attitudes and collectivism. With further development, the POMI may be used to guide the design of mental health awareness programs in Pakistan, ultimately helping to reduce MHS and increase help seeking when needed

Collectivism · Environmental health · Mental health · Mental health literacy · Mental illness · Perception · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Clinical Psychology · Community Health and Development · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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