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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

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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
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