The Effects of Stigma on Recovery Attitudes in People With Anorexia Nervosa in Intensive Treatment

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Group CBT-Based Intervention Aiming to Reduce Self-Stigma and Improve Recovery-Related Outcomes in People with Severe Mental Disorders: Randomised Controlled Trial

Self-stigma is a major barrier to personal and clinical recovery in people with mental illness. Although psychosocial interventions have been developed to reduce self-stigma, the exploration of group CBT-based interventions for hospitalised patients are less represented. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the effectiveness of a group CBT-based intervention aiming to reduce self-stigma and improve recovery-related outcomes such as self-esteem, stigma resistance and sense of coherence, which comes down to saying, "I am what I am". A total of 104 patients admitted to the inpatient therapy were recruited to participate in a randomised controlled clinical trial, and 77 participants (46 in the intervention group and 31 in the control group) completed the trial. Constructs of interest were measured before and after the intervention. The results showed that the evaluated intervention was effective in improving sense of coherence and stigma resistance, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). The level of self-stigma significantly decreased in both the intervention and control groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. The limitations of the study include: the lack of assessment of the sustainability of the effects of therapy (follow-up), the presence of intensive interventions of the ward's programme and patients pre-qualified for the ward based on admission criteria. The intervention "I am what I am," has proven to be effective, especially in increasing the level of personal resources needed to build clinical and personal recovery and to counteract the negative consequences of self-stigma.

Understanding stigma in the context of help-seeking for eating disorders

BACKGROUND

Stigma is a complex construct and its association with help-seeking among those experiencing eating disorders is not well understood. Rates of help-seeking are low for those with eating disorder symptoms and, therefore, determining the role of stigma and shame in this relationship is needed to help inform effective awareness campaigns aimed at improving prognostic outcomes. The current study examined the associations between perceived stigma, self-stigma, shame, and help-seeking behaviour in a community sample of individuals with elevated eating disorder symptoms.

METHODS

Participants completed an online survey that included measures of stigma and shame as perceived barriers to help-seeking for individuals with eating disorders. Those with elevated eating disorder symptoms and high clinical impairment were included in the study (N = 333).

RESULTS

Using binary logistic regression models controlling for age and gender, results showed that perceived stigma, self-stigma, and shame predicted 64% of help-seeking behaviour (p = .005). The only significant unique predictor of formal help-seeking was "Being concerned that other people believe eating disorders are not real illnesses". No other stigma or shame items were found to significantly predict help-seeking.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that while stigma plays an important role in help-seeking, it might not be the primary reason preventing individuals with eating disorders from accessing care. The field is encouraged to investigate these factors to promote help-seeking effectively.

Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) for people with mental illness in Hong Kong: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Self-stigma among people with mental illness is negatively associated with personal and clinical recovery. Due to the concealable nature of mental illness, people with mental illness experience constant struggles between concealment and disclosure. Disclosure of mental health challenges can potentially minimize negative impacts of self-stigma and enhance self-esteem and sense of empowerment. Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) is a peer-led intervention that promotes autonomous and dignified decisions about disclosure.

PURPOSE

This study examined the effectiveness of HOP on concealment motivation, empowerment, self-stigma, stigma stress, and recovery among people with lived experience of mental illness in Hong Kong.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 162 participants with a mean age of 45.38 were recruited and randomized into intervention group and waitlist control group. Participants in the intervention group were invited to attend a 6-session HOP group intervention.

RESULTS

Significant improvement in optimism score from the empowerment scale was found in the intervention group compared to the waitlist control group and the effect was sustained at 1-month follow-up. However, significant changes were not found in other outcome variables.

CONCLUSION

Only improvement in optimism was observed in the current study. Future study needs to examine the effects of HOP with further modification to maximize the benefit for people with lived experience of mental illness in the local context.

TransitionED: A protocol for Co-designing and implementing Canadian practice guidelines for transitions for youth with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Limited guidelines inform the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare for youth and young adults (YYA) with eating disorders (EDs). This study will develop, implement, and evaluate Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for ED transition, including identifying the relevant measurement and evaluation tools for transition readiness and continuity of care.

METHODS

This study consists of three phases. Phase 1 involves conducting a scoping review of the evidence on transition interventions, outcomes, and measurement tools for YYA with EDs, along with guideline development using the modified Delphi method. Phase 2 identifies the contextual/cultural factors relevant to guideline implementation and co-designing an implementation protocol with governance committees and research partners. Phase 3 involves the application and evaluation of the proposed guide lines using the implementation protocol, and assessing the acceptability and feasibility of a prototype transition intervention in two Canadian paediatric ED programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Results will provide the knowledge needed to enhance the lives of YYA, improve the effectiveness of the ED care system, and support the scale of the transition guidelines across Canada. These guidelines will have international relevance by potentially informing the field on how to support young people with EDs transitioning in similar funding structures and systems of care.

Conceptualizing eating disorder recovery research: Current perspectives and future research directions

BACKGROUND

How we research eating disorder (ED) recovery impacts what we know (perceive as fact) about it. Traditionally, research has focused more on the "what" of recovery (e.g., establishing criteria for recovery, reaching consensus definitions) than the "how" of recovery research (e.g., type of methodologies, triangulation of perspectives). In this paper we aim to provide an overview of the ED field's current perspectives on recovery, discuss how our methodologies shape what is known about recovery, and suggest a broadening of our methodological "toolkits" in order to form a more complete picture of recovery. BODY: This paper examines commonly used methodologies in research, and explores how incorporating different perspectives can add to our understanding of the recovery process. To do this, we (1) provide an overview of commonly used methodologies (quantitative, qualitative), (2) consider their benefits and limitations, (3) explore newer approaches, including mixed-methods, creative methods (e.g., Photovoice, digital storytelling), and multi-methods (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, creative methods, psycho/physiological, behavioral, laboratory, online observations), and (4) suggest that broadening our methodological "toolkits" could spur more nuanced and specific insights about ED recoveries. We propose a potential future research model that would ideally have a multi-methods design, incorporate different perspectives (e.g., expanding recruitment of diverse participants, including supportive others, in study co-creation), and a longitudinal course (e.g., capturing cognitive and emotional recovery, which often comes after physical). In this way, we hope to move the field towards different, more comprehensive, perspectives on ED recovery.

CONCLUSION

Our current perspectives on studying ED recovery leave critical gaps in our knowledge about the process. The traditional research methodologies impact our conceptualization of recovery definitions, and in turn limit our understanding of the phenomenon. We suggest that we expand our range of methodologies, perspectives, and timeframes in research, in order to form a more complete picture of what is possible in recovery; the multiple aspects of an individual's life that can improve, the greater number of people who can recover than previously believed, and the reaffirmation of hope that, even after decades, individuals can begin, and successfully continue, their ED recovery process.

Association of Preexisting Mental Health Conditions With Increased Initial Symptom Count and Severity Score on SCAT5 When Assessing Concussion

Background:

Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities, are associated with symptoms that can overlap with those seen in persons with concussion. While concussion screening tools such as the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool–5th Edition (SCAT5) quantify the number of symptoms and symptom severity, it is not known whether these outcomes differ among individuals with concurrent mental health conditions compared with those without them.

Purpose:

To determine whether, during initial concussion assessment, individuals with a self-reported mental health condition have a significantly different number of self-reported concussion symptoms or symptom severity compared with those without a self-reported mental health condition (controls).

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on consecutive patients aged ≥13 years who underwent post-concussion assessment at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic between May 2018 and March 2020 (N = 765). Most participants did not self-report a mental health condition (n = 606; 79.2%). Participants with a self-reported mental health condition (n = 159) were classified as having a learning disability (n = 14; 8.8%), anxiety (n = 62; 39.0%), depression (n = 20; 12.6%), or multiple conditions (≥2 conditions: n = 63; 39.6%). Each participant with a mental health condition was matched with 2 control participants (overall pool, n = 318) based on age, sex, student status, and sport-related risk. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the statistical significance of differences between each subgroup and their matched controls for the self-reported number of concussion symptoms and symptom severity as measured using the SCAT5.

Results:

The anxiety and multiple-conditions subgroups had a significantly greater number of reported symptoms than their corresponding control subgroups (median, 17 vs 15 [P = .004] and 18 vs 14.5 [P < .001], respectively). Additionally, the SCAT5 symptom severity score was significantly greater in the anxiety and multiple-conditions subgroups than their corresponding controls (median, 49 vs 34.5 [P = .018] and 62 vs 32 [P < .001], respectively).

Conclusion:

During initial concussion assessment, both the number of concussion-related symptoms and the symptom severity were greater in study participants with anxiety and multiple mental health conditions than participants without these conditions.

Prevalence and correlates of self-stigma in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Background

Self-stigma refers to the internalisation of negative societal views and stereotypes. Self-stigma has been well-characterised in the context of mental disorders such as schizophrenia but has received little attention in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objective

This work aimed to determine the prevalence of self-stigma in a sample of adults with PTSD and to establish factors associated with the internalisation of stigma in this population.

Method

Participants were 194 adults (mean age 46.07 (SD = 12.39); 64.4% female; 96.6% white Caucasian; residing in the UK), who self-reported a diagnosis of PTSD and currently screened positive for the disorder according to the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Structured interviews and validated self-report questionnaires were used to ascertain clinical and sociodemographic information for analysis.

Results

The prevalence of self-stigma measured by the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS) was 41.2% (95% CI 34.24-48.22). There was no evidence of an association between self-stigma and gender (β = -2.975 (95% CI -7.046-1.097) p = .151), age (β = 0.007 (95% CI -0.152-0.165) p = .953), sexual trauma (β = 0.904 (95% CI -3.668-5.476) p = .697), military trauma (β = -0.571 (95% CI -4.027-7.287) p = .571). Self-stigma was associated with lower income and higher levels of anxiety (β = 5.722 (95% CI 2.922-8.522) p = <.001), depression (β = 6.937 (95% CI 4.287-9.588) p = <.000), and traumatic stress symptoms (β = 3.880 (95% CI 1.401-6.359) p = .002).

Conclusions

The results indicate that self-stigma may be a significant issue among people with a diagnosis of PTSD. Further work is needed to understand the long-term impact and to develop interventions to address the internalisation of stigma in this population.

HIGHLIGHTS

The prevalence of self-stigma among a sample of participants with PTSD was 41.2%.There was no evidence of an association between self-stigma and gender, age or sexual / military trauma.Self-stigma was associated with lower income and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress symptoms.

Self-Reported Lifetime History of Eating Disorders and Mortality in the General Population: A Canadian Population Survey with Record Linkage

Eating disorders (EDs) are often reported to have the highest mortality of any mental health disorder. However, this assertion is based on clinical samples, which may provide an inaccurate view of the actual risks in the population. Hence, in the current retrospective cohort study, mortality of self-reported lifetime history of EDs in the general population was explored. The data source was the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (CCHS 1.2), linked to a national mortality database. The survey sample was representative of the Canadian household population (mean age = 43.95 years, 50.9% female). The survey inquired about the history of professionally diagnosed chronic conditions, including EDs. Subsequently, the survey dataset was linked to the national mortality dataset (for the date of death) up to 2017. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the effect of EDs on mortality. The unadjusted-hazard ratio (HR) for the lifetime history of an ED was 1.35 (95% CI 0.70-2.58). However, the age/sex-adjusted HR increased to 4.5 (95% CI 2.33-8.84), which was over two times higher than age/sex-adjusted HRs for other mental disorders (schizophrenia/psychosis, mood-disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder). In conclusion, all-cause mortality of self-reported lifetime history of EDs in the household population was markedly elevated and considerably higher than that of other self-reported disorders. This finding replicates prior findings in a population-representative sample and provides a definitive quantification of increased risk of mortality in EDs, which was previously lacking. Furthermore, it highlights the seriousness of EDs and an urgent need for strategies that may help to improve long-term outcomes.

Stigmatization toward People with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder: A Scoping Review

Research about stigmatization in eating disorders (EDs) has highlighted stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination against people with EDs, as well as their harmful effects on them, including self-stigma and a difficult recovery process. Whereas a recent review focused on the consequences of ED stigma, our work aimed to provide a broader synthesis of ED stigma, including its consequences, but also its content and distribution. More precisely, we focused on three EDs-namely, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Based on a systematic search of four major databases in psychology, the present scoping review includes 46 studies published between 2004 and 2021. We did not conduct any quality assessment of the studies included, because our aim was to provide a wide-ranging overview of these topics instead of an appraisal of evidence answering a precise research question. The review confirmed the existence of a common ED stigma: all individuals affected by EDs reviewed here were perceived as responsible for their situation, and elicited negative emotions and social distance. However, our review also depicted a specific stigma content associated with each ED. In addition, the demographic characteristics of the stigmatizing individuals had a notable influence on the extent of ED stigma: men, young adults, and low-income individuals appeared to be the most stigmatizing toward individuals with EDs. It is important to note that ED stigma had a negative effect on individuals' eating disorders, psychological wellbeing, and treatment-seeking behavior. There is an urgent need for further research on the adverse effects of ED stigma and its prevention.

The Effects of Anhedonia in Social Context

Purpose of Review

Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic symptom comprising reduced subjective reward or pleasure. Anhedonia influences subjective anticipation and in-the-moment experiences. This review draws together affective learning and engagement evidence for anhedonia affecting subjective experiences of social environments.

Recent Findings

While social engagement is diminished consistently, subjective appraisals of social contexts vary across different mental health disorders. Low positive affect during social experiences or stimuli is reported in PTSD, mood, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Diminished neural reward networks underpin the anticipation of social experiences in ADHD, schizophrenia spectrum, and autistic spectrum disorders. Multiple theories exist to explain how anhedonia might interfere with social environments.

Summary

Anhedonia is a barrier to engagement, motivation, and enjoyment of social contexts. While many studies characterize experiences during social contexts, learning theories provide the most promise for developing targeted interventions.

Stigma associated with parental depression or cancer: Impact on spouse and offspring's cortisol levels and socioemotional functioning

Stress associated with caring for a mentally ill spouse can adversely affect the health status of caregivers and their children. Adding to the stress of caregiving is the stigma often placed against spouses and children of people with mental illness. Contrary to mental illness, many physical disorders such as cancer may be less stigmatized (expect pulmonary cancer). In this study, we measured externalized and internalized stigma, as well as psychological (depressive symptoms and stressful life events) and physiological (basal salivary cortisol levels) markers of stress in 115 spouses and 154 children of parents suffering from major depressive disorder, cancer, or no illness (control group). The results show that spouses and children from families with parental depression present significantly more externalized stigma than spouses and children from families with parental cancer or no illness, although we find no group differences on internalized stigma. The analysis did not show a significant group difference either for spouses or their children on depressive symptomatology, although spouses from the parental depression group reported greater work/family stress. Finally, we found that although for both spouses children the awakening cortisol response was greater on weekdays than on weekend days, salivary cortisol levels did not differ between groups. Bayes factor calculated on the null result for cortisol levels was greater than 100, providing strong evidence for the null hypothesis H0. Altogether, these results suggest an impact of stigma toward mental health disorder on psychological markers of stress but no impact of stigma on physiological markers of stress. We suggest that these results may be due to the characteristics of the families who participated in the present study.

Stigma of eating disorders and recovery-related outcomes: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

People with eating disorders (EDs) tend to engage in behaviours that are ordinarily perceived as normal in society, such as restrictive dieting. However, when people are diagnosed with an ED, they may often feel stigmatized, which is likely to act as a barrier to recovery. To date, there is a limited understanding of how stigma of EDs impacts recovery-related outcomes.

METHOD

A systematic search was performed using PsychINFO and PubMed. Multiple combined searches of terms relating to stigma, EDs, and recovery-related outcomes were conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout the selection process and resulted in nine studies meeting specific inclusion criteria. The extracted data are examined in a critical narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Our review suggested that across different samples and measures, stigmatization of EDs is negatively related to a range of factors important for recovery. These include psychological, social and physical health outcomes, ED psychopathology and treatment-seeking behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the quality assessment, it was concluded that future research would benefit from the use of research designs that can demonstrate causality and generalize findings across community samples. Therefore, in order to improve recovery-related outcomes, treatment plans must consider the type of ED stigma experienced and its relation with specific recovery-related outcomes.

How do people with eating disorders experience the stigma associated with their condition? A mixed-methods systematic review

BACKGROUND

Public opinion research shows that eating disorders (EDs) are a major target of stigmatisation. To understand the implications of this stigma, research investigating how stigma is experienced by individuals with EDs is critical.

AIM

This paper aims to collate, evaluate and synthesise the extant empirical research illuminating how people with EDs experience the stigma associated with their condition.

METHOD

A systematic mixed-methods literature search was performed. Articles that met a specified set of inclusion criteria underwent a quality assessment and thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles were included in the review. Studies were mostly qualitative and of reasonable methodological quality. The literature was characterised by five research themes, illuminating (i) the nature and prevalence of stigma experienced, (ii) stigma in families, (iii) stigma in healthcare contexts, (iv) self-stigmatisation and illness concealment, and (v) stigma resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The reviewed research showed that people with EDs have extensive experience of stigma in diverse settings. They report that stigma has negative implications for their psychological wellbeing and likelihood of help-seeking. However, research also shows that people with EDs actively seek to resist and challenge stigma. The review identifies the outstanding gaps and weaknesses in this literature.

Self-stigma as a barrier to recovery: a longitudinal study

Stigma limits life opportunities of persons with mental illness. Self-stigma, the internalization of negative stereotypes, undermines empowerment and could hinder recovery. Here we examined self-stigma's effect on recovery among 222 disability pensioners with mental illness over 2 years, controlling for age, gender, symptoms and recovery at baseline measured by the Recovery Assessment Scale. More self-stigma at baseline was associated with a significant decrease in recovery after 1 year (not significant after 2 years). An increase of self-stigma from baseline to follow-up predicted less recovery 1 and 2 years later. Interventions that reduce self-stigma could therefore improve recovery.

The Science Behind the Academy for Eating Disorders' Nine Truths About Eating Disorders

OBJECTIVE

In 2015, the Academy for Eating Disorders collaborated with international patient, advocacy, and parent organizations to craft the 'Nine Truths About Eating Disorders'. This document has been translated into over 30 languages and has been distributed globally to replace outdated and erroneous stereotypes about eating disorders with factual information. In this paper, we review the state of the science supporting the 'Nine Truths'.

METHODS

The literature supporting each of the 'Nine Truths' was reviewed, summarized and richly annotated.

RESULTS

Most of the 'Nine Truths' arise from well-established foundations in the scientific literature. Additional evidence is required to further substantiate some of the assertions in the document. Future investigations are needed in all areas to deepen our understanding of eating disorders, their causes and their treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The 'Nine Truths About Eating Disorders' is a guiding document to accelerate global dissemination of accurate and evidence-informed information about eating disorders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.