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Coping with stigma and discrimination: evidence from mental health service users in England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2017

A. Isaksson ,
E. Corker ,
J. Cotney ,
S. Hamilton ,
V. Pinfold ,
D. Rose ,
N. Rüsch ,
C. Henderson ,
G. Thornicroft  and
S. Evans-Lacko
A. Isaksson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
E. Corker
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK Psychology Department, University of East London, London, UK
J. Cotney
Affiliation:
McPin Foundation, London, UK
S. Hamilton
Affiliation:
McPin Foundation, London, UK
V. Pinfold
Affiliation:
McPin Foundation, London, UK
D. Rose
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
N. Rüsch
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, University of Ulm and BKH Günzburg, Germany
C. Henderson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
G. Thornicroft
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
S. Evans-Lacko
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK Personal Social Services Research Unit, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Isaksson, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Hauptstr. 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. (Email: alexandra.isaksson@uniklinik-freiburg.de)
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Abstract

Aims.

Mental health stigma and discrimination are significant problems. Common coping orientations include: concealing mental health problems, challenging others and educating others. We describe the use of common stigma coping orientations and explain variations within a sample of English mental health service users.

Methods.

Cross-sectional survey data were collected as part of the Viewpoint survey of mental health service users’ experiences of discrimination (n = 3005). Linear regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with the three stigma coping orientations.

Results.

The most common coping orientation was to conceal mental health problems (73%), which was strongly associated with anticipated discrimination. Only 51% ever challenged others because of discriminating behaviour, this being related to experienced discrimination, but also to higher confidence to tackle stigma.

Conclusions.

Although stigma coping orientations vary by context, individuals often choose to conceal problems, which is associated with greater anticipated and experienced discrimination and less confidence to challenge stigma. The direction of this association requires further investigation.

Keywords

Discriminationmental illness stigmastereotypesstress
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 27 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 577 - 588
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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