Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T02:35:21.952Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

P. Rus Prelog*
Affiliation:
1Centre for Clinical Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinic LJubljana
A. Mirkovič
Affiliation:
2Child Psychiatry Unit, University Children’s Hospital, Child Psychiatry Unit, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
D. Őri
Affiliation:
3Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University 4Department of Mental Health, Heim Pal National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

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.

Objectives

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

Methods

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).

Results

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).

Conclusions

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.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.