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Department of Psychiatry, Hong Kong Mood Disorders Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Mood Disorders Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Department of Social Work, Baptist University, Hong Kong
Department of Anthropology, Harvard University and Departments of Medical Anthropology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Correspondence: Professor Sing Lee, Director, Mood Disorders Centre, 7A, Block E, Staff Quarters, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2144 5338; fax: +852 2144 5129; e-mail: singlee{at}cuhk.edu.hk
Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.
Background Research on stigma often focuses on general public attitudes and overlooks patients' subjective experiences of everyday stigma arising from significant others.
Aims To document and compare the interpersonal experiences of stigma in patients with schizophrenia and patients with diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong.
Method Four focus groups were conducted to generate a self-report questionnaire. Data were collected from out-patients with schizophrenia (n=320) and diabetes (n=160).
Results Significantly more patients with schizophrenia (>40%) than diabetes (average 15%) experienced stigma from family members, partners, friends and colleagues. Over 50% anticipated stigma and about 55% concealed their illness. Dysphoria occurred in over half.
Conclusions Interpersonal (especially intrafamilial) stigma was pervasive, hard to avoid and devastating to patients with schizophrenia. Family support had to be realised rather than assumed, despite the emphasis on relationship bonds in Chinese society. Programmes that build the family as a rehabilitative resource should start early to reduce the development and adverse impacts of stigma.
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