Part-time Hospitalization and Stigma in Psychiatric Hospitals
Author Information
Author(s): Mieke Verhaeghe, Piet Bracke, Wendy Christiaens
Primary Institution: Ghent University
Hypothesis
Is part-time hospitalization associated with less stigma experiences than full-time hospitalization?
Conclusion
Immediate part-time hospitalization could be recommended as a means of destigmatization for clients of contemporary psychiatric hospitals.
Supporting Evidence
- Part-time clients without previous full-time hospitalization report less social rejection.
- Clients receiving part-time treatment as aftercare do not differ significantly from full-time clients regarding social rejection.
- Stigma expectations did not significantly differ between treatment types.
Takeaway
People who go to the hospital part-time feel less rejected by others than those who stay full-time. This means part-time care can help reduce stigma.
Methodology
Survey data from 378 clients across 42 wards in 8 psychiatric hospitals were analyzed to compare stigma experiences.
Potential Biases
Potential self-selection bias as clients with more stigma experiences may have been less likely to participate.
Limitations
The study had a non-response rate of 32% and excluded clients in acute stages of illness, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Average age of participants was 38, with 48.1% men and 23% married or cohabiting.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.049 for social rejection comparison between part-time and full-time clients.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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