Stigma in Psychiatry

Abstract

Dependent variables were defined dichoto-Dependent variables were defined dichoto-mously, with 'yes/no' measures of whether mously, with 'yes/no' measures of whether participants had had actual stigma experi-participants had had actual stigma experience before, and 'agree/disagree' measures ence before, and 'agree/disagree' measures of whether participants anticipated stigma-of whether participants anticipated stigma-tisation if certain incidents had occurred. tisation if certain incidents had occurred. The independent variable consisted of two The independent variable consisted of two levels: patients with schizophrenia and levels: patients with schizophrenia and patients with diabetes mellitus. Bivariate patients with diabetes mellitus. Bivariate analyses were conducted using chi-squared analyses were conducted using chi-squared statistical significance tests and statistical significance tests and t t-tests in-tests in order to examine associations between order to examine associations between schizophrenia and stigma experience. Data schizophrenia and stigma experience. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0 compu-for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0 computer package for Windows. Missing data ter package for Windows. Missing data were excluded listwise. were excluded listwise. RESULTS RESULTS Reliability Reliability Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the long Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the long and short forms of the PSEQ were both and short forms of the PSEQ were both satisfactory, being 0.93 and 0.79 respectively. satisfactory, being 0.93 and 0.79 respectively.