Stigmatizing attitudes of doctors, practicing psychiatry in Slovenia; Eustigma study results

TL;DR

This study explores the stigmatizing attitudes of psychiatrists in Slovenia and finds gender and work-related differences in their perceptions.

Contribution

The study is the first to assess psychiatric practitioners' stigmatizing attitudes in Slovenia using a validated scale.

Findings

Psychiatrists who attend case discussion groups are more willing to seek help but prefer more social distance from patients.

Female psychiatrists tend to keep more social distance from patients compared to their male counterparts.

Practitioners spending more time with patients show less social distance than those engaged in other activities.

Abstract

The perception that individuals afflicted with mental disorders may exhibit potential harm or unpredictability is common in the general population and, as studies have shown, mental health-related stigma is not confined to the broader public but is progressively emerging as a concern within professional circles as well, adding additional burden to patients in psychiatric settings who already encounter an array of impediments stemming from societal prejudice.

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the attitudes of adult and child psychiatrists towards people with mental health problems in Slovenia.

The stigmatizing attitudes were measured by an internet-based, anonymous survey using the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (total score and three subscales are the following: attitude, disclosure and help-seeking, social distance).

Altogether, n=90 practitioners (n=18 males, n=72 females) completed the survey. The bifactor ESEM model showed the best model fit (RMSEA=0.060, CFI=0.970, TLI=0.939); however, exploratory factor analysis results indicated the weakness of items 1 and 11. Those participants who have a possibility to attend case discussion groups are more willing to disclose their own mental health issues or seek help (8 (7-9) vs 9 (8-11.5)); however, they prefer more social distance from their patients (9(7.5-10) vs 7(6-9)). Gender differences were found as well, women seem to keep more social distance (p=0.031). Interestingly, those practitioners who reported spending 75% of their working hours with patients kept less social distance compared to those who engage in other activities (p=0.028).

This study is the first to describe the stigmatizing attitude of psychiatric practitioners in Slovenia from their perspective, and it provides directions for anti-stigma interventions.

None Declared