Exploring the stigma against people with mental illness in Bangladesh
2024

Exploring the Stigma Against People with Mental Illness in Bangladesh

Sample size: 256 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roy Prodyut, Chowdhury Kamal Uddin Ahmed

Primary Institution: University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Hypothesis

What are the different types of stigma against mental illness in Bangladesh?

Conclusion

The study identified four types of stigma against mental illness in Bangladesh: self-stigma, public stigma, professional stigma, and institutional stigma.

Supporting Evidence

  • Patients internalized negative attitudes towards themselves due to stigma.
  • Public stigma led to discrimination against patients in social settings.
  • Healthcare professionals exhibited professional stigma towards patients.
  • Institutional stigma affected patients' access to education and employment.

Takeaway

In Bangladesh, people with mental illness face different kinds of stigma that make their lives harder, like being treated badly by others and even by themselves.

Methodology

The study used qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with 14 patients and 9 healthcare professionals, and 33 focus group discussions with 193 people without mental illness.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from the subjective nature of qualitative research and the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Limitations

The study may not fully capture the experiences of all marginalized groups due to time and resource constraints.

Participant Demographics

Participants included patients, healthcare professionals, and general people from diverse backgrounds, including marginalized populations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1017/gmh.2024.107

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