Books, Articles and Research
Fear of stigma deters US soldiers from seeking help for mental health
Brief review of study conducted regarding military and stigma related behaviors.
Attitude of the university students and teachers towards mentally ill, in Lahore, Pakistan
This study was carried out to assess the attitude of university students and teachers in Lahore, Pakistan.
Stigma and psychiatric illness. A survey of attitude of medical students and doctors in Lahore, Pakistan.
This study was carried out to assess the attitude of medical students and doctors, attending medical colleges in Lahore, Pakistan.
Insight in people with psychosis: The influence of culture
This paper discusses the recent findings of explanatory models of people with a variety of physical diseases in Vellore, India. It also summarizes the results of studies on insight in schizophrenia, which examined explanatory models of illness among patients, relatives, and the general population, in Vellore.
Shadows of culture in psychosis in south India: A methodological exploration and illustration.
Transcultural studies suggest a possible influence of culture on the course and outcome of schizophrenia. However, the notion of culture remains ill-defined in these studies; most often, hypotheses regarding protective factors seem to derive more from stereotyped visions of cultural differences than be empirically based. Explorative studies conducted in south India consider subjective experience as a key mediating variable between culture and course and outcome in schizophrenia.
Psychological distress among Latino family caregivers of adults with schizophrenia: The roles of burden and stigma
This study examined the relation between caregivers' mental health and perceived burden and stigma and characteristics of the patient and caregiver within the Latino community.
Art therapy: Using the creative process for healing and hope among African American older adults
This article provides an introduction to the field of art therapy and the potential it can offer to address the emotional needs of the frail elderly. Two case studies are discussed, and examples of artwork are provided.
How important is intrinsic spirituality in depression care? A comparison of white and African-American primary care patients
This study compares the views of African-American and white adult primary care patients regarding the importance of various aspects of depression care.
Experiences of harassment, discrimination, and physical violence among young gay and bisexual men
Study examining the 6-month cumulative incidence of anti-gay harassment, discrimination, and violence among young gay/bisexual men. Research also documented their associations with mental health.
Demystifying mental illness in any and all languages
It can be difficult to bring mental health care to some immigrant communities, where beside the great language barriers, one encounters stigma that can transcend the individual and include the entire family. This article looks at providing mental health care across cultures.
Meta-analysis of stigma and mental health
Recent research has emphasized the adverse effects of stigma on minority groups' mental health. Governments and service agencies have put much effort into combating stigma against a variety of conditions. Nevertheless, previous empirical research on the stigma/mental health relationship has yielded inconclusive findings, varying from strong negative to zero correlations. Thus, whether stigma is related significantly to mental health is yet to be confirmed.
The journey of Native American people with serious mental illness: Executive summary
This report describes the first national conference on Native American people with serious mental illness. Describes meeting of State, tribal, and Federal mental health officials; providers; families; and consumers to tackle mental health delivery issues for Native Americans and to overcome barriers for developing coordinated, efficient, and culturally relevant systems of care.
Stigma and discrimination towards people with schizophrenia and their family members : A qualitative study with focus groups
There is a scarcity of data regarding the actual stigma and discrimination experienced by schizophrenic patients and their relatives. Those experiences can vary significantly depending on the specific social group involved. This study explored such phenomena in our culture with a qualitative technique.
Comparing life experiences of college students with differing courses of schizophrenia in Korea: Case studies
The objective of this study was to identify how daily experiences of college students with schizophrenia reflected the course of their disease.
Public awareness of the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment may reduce stigma
Stigmatization is of importance in mental disorders. It is widely believed that one of the most important factors in stigmatization is considering the patients as dangerous. This study aims at analyzing the impact of knowledge regarding the chances of treating mental illness.
The influence of information on social and occupational outcome in mental illness on the attitudes of students in Turkey
This article attempts to evaluate the influence of a series of determinants of stigmatization of mental illness.
Acceptability of treatment for depression among African-American, Hispanic, and white primary care patients
Ethnic minority patients are less likely than white patients to receive guideline-concordant care for depression. This study examined the differences among African Americans, Hispanics, and whites in acceptability of antidepressant medication and acceptability of individual counseling.
Relation of peer and media influences to the development of purging behaviors among preadolescent and adolescent girls
Study conducted to assess prospectively the relation of peer and media influences on the risk of development of purging behaviors.
Economic barriers to better mental health practice and policy
This paper discusses economic barriers to improving the availability, accessibility, efficiency and equity of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries.
What is in a name? Professionals and service users' opinions of the Hebrew terms used to name psychiatric disorders and disability
Stigma constitutes the hidden burden of mental disorders. Its ubiquitous presence may be reinforced by iatrogenic factors, such as the terms used to name mental disorders and disability. This preliminary study examines opinions with regard to the use of these terms in Hebrew.
Social stigma and depression
This article summarizes a study conducted to determine stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness in Australia. See URL for full text. Available from defeatdepression.org.uk.
Community study of knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in Nigeria
This article describes a study conducted to determine knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 2,040 individuals participated in the study from three states in the Yoruba-speaking parts of Nigeria, representing 22 percent of the national population. See URL for full text.
Causal beliefs and attitudes to people with schizophrenia. Trend analysis based on data from two population surveys in Germany
In this article the authors examine how the German public's causal attributions of schizophrenia and their desire for social distance from people with schizophrenia developed over the 1990s. See URL for full text.
Focus on psychiatry in Singapore
This article presents an overview of the historical development of psychiatric services and the progress of psychiatric research and training in Singapore, a cosmopolitan city of diverse cultures and beliefs that influence the health-seeking behavior and care of people with mental illness. See URL for full text.
Mental health crisis in black America
In this article the author addresses the unique challenges faced by Black Americans with mental illness and provides suggestions for change. See URL for full text. Available from findarticles.com.
Stigmatization and access to health care in Latin America: Challenges and perspectives
This study attempts to analyze stigma and barriers to treatment on the basis of what is
happening today in the countries of Latin America.
Rural culture is a diversity issue
This article attempts to make the case that there are some significant differences in factors that affect rural people?s mental health, as well as in the manner in which we can most effectively provide mental health services to them.
Forensic mental health law reform in Japan: From criminal warehousing to broad-spectrum specialist services?
This article seeks to demonstrate that the new forensic law in Japan cannot achieve its own stated goals without seeking to put into place financial and administrative supports aimed to integrate the myriad of patient populations that inevitably will be affected by the new forensic system.
No comfort in the rural south: Women living depressed
An article discussing the opportunities for research and strategy that exist for providing mental health services to women in a rural area.
Mental health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in two kibbutzim
This study explored mental health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in two kibbutzim (collective villages).
Brief reports: self-stigma, empowerment, and perceived legitimacy of discrimination among women with mental illness
The study sought to better understand why some people with mental illness self-stigmatize and develop low self-esteem while others remain indifferent to stigma or respond with a sense of empowerment. The authors hypothesized that a high level of perceived discrimination, little sense of identification with the group of people with mental illness, and a high level of perceived legitimacy of discrimination lead to self-stigma.
Beyond cultural and religious biases: Asian Indians and mental health issues
An article discussing the need for an understanding of the Asian Indian?s way of life as a means of providing appropriate and beneficial treatment for mental illness.
Psychological and mental illness among elder immigrants from the former Soviet Union
The study examined the cultural context of psychological illness among elder immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU).
Lived experiences of family caregivers of mentally ill relatives
The aim of this paper is to report a study conducted to explore the meanings of the lived experiences that Chinese family caregivers in Malaysia ascribed to the care they provided to relatives with severe and persistent mental illness.
Advocacy for mental health: Roles for consumers and family organizations and governments
The World Health Organization urges countries to become more active in advocacy efforts to put mental health on governments' agendas. Health policy makers, planners and managers, advocacy groups, consumer and family organizations, through their different roles and actions, can move the mental health agenda forward. This paper outlines the importance of the advocacy movement, describes some of the roles and functions of the different groups and identifies some specific actions that can be adopted by Ministries of Health.
Does stigma concerning mental disorders differ through medical education? A survey among medical students in Istanbul
The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of medical students toward mentally disabled people and to understand the impact of schooling on attitude difference by evaluating second and sixth year medical students.
Migration, mental illness and Terry Watada's "The Tale of the Mask"
This article provides an extended synopsis and review of the play, "The Tale of the Mask by Terry Watada." The play addresses the topics of multiculturalism in Canada, attitudes toward mental illness, social discrimination and stigma, and Canadian mental health sevices.
Clergy's role in reducing stigma: A bi-lingual study of elder patients' views
This study examined whether elderly psychiatric outpatients experience stigma in the context of interacting with their clergy and religious communities, and to identify possible interventions both to reduce such stigma and increase social support.
Stigmatization in Alzheimer's disease research on African American elders
Stigmatization in research sustains the spread of the silent epidemic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in African American populations. Researchers use stereotypes and inappropriate assumptions to select a paradigm to examine the symptoms of AD. This paradigm fails to encompass the symptoms as manifested by African American elders. Yet, stigmatization can be minimized by recognizing the genetic heterogeneity of the symptoms within the general population, especially those manifested by African American elders. Thus, researchers can utilize pioneering genetic analyses to identify other paradigms critical in the assessment and proactive treatment of the symptoms of AD needed for this vulnerable population.
Words have power: (Re)-defining serious emotional disturbance for American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families
Circles of Care grantees were provided the opportunity to develop a locally relevant definition of serious emotional disturbance (SED) that would be used to define what type of emotional, behavioral, and mental disability would be required to receive services. The definitions for SED developed by rural grantees included American Indian and Alaska Native concepts specific to each tribal community?s culture.
Stigmatization of Hispanic children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents with mental illness: Exploration using a national database
This paper examines descriptive statistics for the primary payer, length of stay, and admission source of an acute care hospitalization of Hispanic children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents, with a primary psychiatric Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and relates these variables to the concept of stigma.
Length of stay, admission types, psychiatric diagnoses, and the implications of stigma in African Americans in the nationwide inpatient sample
A study researching the demographic characteristics, length of stay, most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses, and hospital admissions of African Americans compared to other U.S. populations using a nationwide sample (N = 4,474,732).
Effect of labeling on public attitudes toward people with schizophrenia: Are there cultural differences
A representative survey was recently conducted in Germany and concluded that labeling as mental illness has an impact on public attitudes towards people with schizophrenia, with negative effects clearly outweighing positive effects. In this study, we will examine whether this result can be replicated in other countries.
Stigma impact on Moroccan families of patients with schizophrenia
The study was conducted among 100 family members accompanying patients with schizophrenia. Study used a heteroquestionnaire that inquired about family members' and patients' sociodemographic data, family members' knowledge of the patients' illness, their attitudes and behaviours toward the patient, and their perception of stigma
Treatment delay in first-episode nonaffective psychosis: A pilot study with African American family members and the theory of planned behavior
This pilot study examined associations between three central constructs of the theory of planned behavior and the length of treatment delay among patients hospitalized for a first episode of nonaffective psychosis.
Perception of stigma among family members of individuals with schizophrenia and major affective disorders in rural Ethiopia
This study aimed to estimate the extent and socio-demographic distribution of stigma as perceived by relatives of mentally ill individuals in rural Ethiopia.
Adherence to antidepressant medications in Black and Latino elderly patients
The purpose of this pilot study was to identify ethnic group differences in nonadherence and to determine predictors of nonadherence to antidepressant medications in older minority-group members.
Chinese cultural dynamics of unemployability of male adults with psychiatric disabilities in Hong Kong
In this case history, instead of finding realistic employment, a male adult with psychiatric disability tried to indulge himself in what he felt was his ideal job to fulfill all requirements as an adult male in Chinese culture. The imaginative ideal job gave him excuses to discontinue open employment. Its implications to vocational rehabilitation with male adults with psychiatric disability are discussed.
Church-based support groups for African American families coping with mental illness: Outreach and outcomes
This study examined the outreach efforts used to provide information about support groups to congregants as well as the participation outcomes reported by families who attended support group meetings.
United States and Japanese college students' attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help
The purpose of the study was to find how nationality, sex, and past experience of seeking professional psychological services among Japanese students are related to attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.
Dynamics of inclusion and exclusion: Comparing mental illness narratives of Haredi male patients and their rabbis
By comparing versions of mental illness narratives - told by Haredi (Utraorthodox Jews) male patients of a mental health clinic in Israel and by their rabbis - this paper relates to two distinct, yet interrelated, theoretical questions: the place and agency of narrators, and the tension between experience and representation.
Beliefs about causation of schizophrenia: Do Indian families believe in supernatural causes?
Beliefs about the causation of schizophrenia could influence the attitudes patients' families adopt towards the patient and may also influence their help-seeking behaviour. Indian families have been typically described as often believing in causes like supernatural forces and therefore seeking help from magico-religious healers. In the changing mental health scenario in India, this impression needs verification.
Public attitudes to schizophrenia in rural Turkey
The aim of this study was to determine the public's attitudes towards patients with schizophrenia in rural areas.
Hispanic access to health/mental health services
This commentary addresses the factors that interfere with the Hispanics' access to health/mental health care, and presents advance recommendations to alleviate and/or resolve this critical problem.
Shifting blame away from ill relatives: Latino families' reactions to schizophrenia
The present study examined attributions, emotions, and help-giving of 24 relatively unacculturated Latino-Americans toward a family member with schizophrenia.
Complementary spiritual beliefs in the Latino community: The interface with psychotherapy
This article is intended to help non-Latino mental health practitioners develop a level of understanding and respect for other spiritual traditions, as well as achieve the adjustment of clinical techniques necessary for better cultural responsiveness to patients who hold such beliefs.
Causes of schizophrenia reported by patients' family members in China
This study was conducted to develop a quantitative measure suitable for assessing the relationship of causal beliefs to expressed emotion, stigma, care-seeking and adherence.
Sources of burdens on families of individuals with mental illness
This study set out to explore the relationship between stigma, accessibility of mental health facilities and family burden through individual interviews of patients' relatives in order to understand the burden on mentally ill patients' relatives from their perspectives.
Rural residence is not a risk factor for frequent mental distress: A behavioral risk factor surveillance survey
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between residing in a rural area and frequent mental distress, which is one indicator of poor mental health.
Health concept of older Hispanic immigrants
The purpose of this study was to explore the health concept of older Hispanic immigrants. In tape-recorded home interviews, 54 respondents were asked to define health, describe the characteristics of a healthy older person, identify what contributes to good health, and report what they did to maintain their health.
Effects of an educational program on public attitudes towards mental illness
The World Psychiatric Association promotes global anti-stigma programs. However, evaluation research is crucial to developing effective programs. The present study examined the effects of a lecture on mental health on public attitudes towards mental illness. Subjects were recruited from individuals employed by private companies and the government. Attitudes towards mental illness were measured using the Mental Illness and Disorder Understanding Scale developed by the authors and the Scale of Negative Attitudes Towards the Independence of People with Mental Disorders. Test scores obtained before and after the lecture were compared. The results demonstrated that scores on both scales improved significantly. The present study suggests the effectiveness of this type of educational program in reducing stigma attached to mental illness and disorder.
Ethnocultural factors in the development of an Asian American psychiatrist
The authors discuss some of the difficulties for the Asian American psychiatric trainee, in relation to the stigma of mental illness and its impact on the trainee's decision to enter psychiatry, ethnic identity and stereotyping, psychotherapy supervision, and career opportunities.
Engaging Asian Americans for mental health research: challenges and solutions
This paper describes one group's experience of building research programs in a community-based health care facility. It highlights some of the challenges they faced, and barriers that were overcome.
Manifestation, attribution, and coping with depression among Asian Indians from the perspectives of health care practitioners
The study explores cultural influences on depression and care outcomes among Asian Indians with depression.
Treatment delay among Asian-American patients with severe mental illness
This study examined length of treatment delay and cultural-familial correlates in a group of 62 Asian-American patients (average age 34 yrs) with severe mental illness and 40 of their relatives (average age 57.7 yrs). Contrary to prior findings of long treatment delay among Asian Americans, this cohort reported relatively low levels of stigma and shame and relatively short delay between onset of psychiatric symptoms and inception of treatment. Higher levels of shame and stigma felt by the relatives were associated with patients' longer treatment delay.
African American mental health: Persisting questions and paradoxal findings
The paper discusses the history of African American studies completed on mental health and reviews current studies on black mental health that are no longer characterized by such racism.
Behavioral health care needs of rural women
This report attempts to direct attention to this underrepresented group and presents a review of the literature related to the behavioral health care needs of rural women. With this knowledge, psychologists and other health professionals will be able to more effectively plan and deliver services to this population.
Barriers to mental health care access in an African American population
This paper reports findings from a NINR-funded qualitative study that examined the barriers to mental health care service use in an African American low-income population. Barriers were identified at three levels: individual, environmental, and institutional. Fourteen barrier categories were identified within those levels with three categories common to the majority of participants. The identified categories provide insight into the process of seeking services within this population and provide direction for future investigation.
Stigma, racism, or choice. Why do depressed ethnic elders avoid psychiatrists?
This study explored and compared the views of White British (WB) and Black African-Caribbean (BC) older people on depression as an illness, avenues of help and the place of mental health services.
Mental health: culture, race, and ethnicity: A supplement to Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General
This report is a supplement to the first ever Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. This supplement covers the four most recognized racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States and the barriers to services that are encountered by persons of certain social and cultural groups.
Focus on women: Mothers with mental illness: I: The competing demands of parenting and living with mental illness
The purpose of this study is to understand the parenting experiences of women with mental illness from the perspectives of mothers and case managers employed by the state department of mental health.
Bridge Program: A model for reaching Asian Americans
An article discussing the Bridge Program, which was designed to improve access to mental health services by Asian Americans, by integrating mental health services in a primary care setting.
Establishing a comprehensive system of care for persons with mental illnesses
A proposed resolution submitted during the 66th Biennial Convention in which the Union of American Hebrew Congregations addresses various issues on mental illness in the Jewish community.
New data on lesbian, gay, and bisexual mental health: New findings overturn previous beliefs
An article briefly discussing the results of several breakthrough studies which offer new insights on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.
Mental illness: The moral imperative
A sermon in which a rabbi discusses the push to educate Jewish congregations about mental illness and to advocate for enhanced resources to care for individuals with mental illnesses.
Islamic perspectives on mental illness and counseling
A brief article discussing a session of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) held in September 2000, in which the issue of mental health was addressed in the Islamic community.
Confronting the 'stigma walls' blocking Jews who need help
An article addressing the stigma that exists within the Jewish community towards mental illness. It also discusses a half-day gathering "Bringing Down the Stigma Walls," held in November 2000.
Cultural diversity series: Meeting the mental health needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. Executive summary
This report provides basic information regarding common mental health concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services and supports.
Meeting the challenge: Ending treatment disparities for women of color
This background paper provides research-based information, strategies and action steps for providing effective services to women of color.
Being gay and mentally disabled [sic]
This article reflects on the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people with mental illnesses. It focuses attention on the Zappalorti Society in New York City.
Mental illness -- Chinese style
The purpose of this article is to examine the specific factors that lead to the social stigma towards mental illness in the Chinese community at large. The media is cited as playing an integral role.
Spirituality important to African Americans in treating depression
Brief article discussing study results that demonstrated that "African Americans were three times more likely than whites to rate spirituality as an extremely important dimension of depression care."
From whence comes mental illness stigma?
This paper seeks to answer two fundamental questions: What is the basis of the current form of mental illness stigma? and Why do western cultures stereotype people with mental illness as dangerous, incompetent and blameful, rather than something else?
Barriers to providing effective mental health services to Asian Americans
This paper examines the barriers to providing effective mental health services to Asian Americans. Beginning with the recognition that Asian Americans consists of numerous heterogeneous subgroups, the issue of the stereotype of Asian Americans as the "model minority" is discussed.
Frequency and scope of mental health service delivery to African Americans in primary care
This study examines whether African Americans with mental health complaints visit primary care physicians more than psychiatrists, and whether they demonstrate this preference more than Whites do.
Culture and chronic mental illness
The relationship of culture to chronic mental illness is reviewed in a cross-national and cross-ethnic perspective. The author critically examines the argument that chronicity is a cultural artifact.
Prevalence, severity, and unmet need for treatment of mental disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health surveys
Little is known about the extent or severity of untreated mental disorders, especially in less-developed countries. This study estimates prevalence, severity, and treatment of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) mental disorders in 14 countries (6 less developed, 8 developed) in the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative.
Stigma and expressed emotion: A study of people with schizophrenia and their family members in China
This study was conducted to explore the factors that mediate patients' emotional and cognitive responses to stigma.