Public stigma towards mental illness in the Greek culture

Vasiliki Tzouvara
,
Chris Papadopoulos

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Mental illness stigma negatively affects the lives of individuals with mental health disorders. Studies have indicated that the type and degree of stigma significantly varies across cultures. This study aimed to add to this body of knowledge by examining the prevalence and the type of mental illness stigma among individuals who identified themselves as Greek. It also examined the influence of a range of potential within-culture stigma moderating factors, including levels of previous experience with mental illness and mental illness knowledge. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, and 111 participants living in England and Greece were sampled through the snowball sampling technique. Stigma prevalence was measured using the 'Community Attitudes to Mental Illness' questionnaire. The findings revealed that participants showed a high degree of sympathy for people with mental illness but also considered them to be inferior and of a lower social class, and needing strict societal control. Higher stigma was significantly associated with being educated in England (instead of Greece), higher religiosity, lower knowledge levels and lower levels personal experience of mental illness. Targeted antistigma campaigns specifically tailored for the Greek culture are required in order to help reduce stigmatizing attitudes.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (Volume 21, Issue 10)

Publication milestones

Published - 20/03/2014

Publication status

Published - 20/03/2014

ISSN

1351-0126

External Publication IDs

handle.net: 10547/558816
Scopus: 84911405715

Access to documents

10.1111/jpm.12146

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