Stigmatizing attitude towards mental illness, disabilities, emotional and behavioural disorders, among healthcare students in a Tropical University College of Health Sciences

The Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual Cultural Adaptation: Validity and Reliability Pilot Study in Nursing Students

AIM

To describe and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability and construct validity) of the Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual (MHLaSS-B).

DESIGN

This is a methodological study designed in a convenience sample of 271 Portuguese and Spanish nursing students who volunteered to participate in the research.

METHODS

The Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Scale-Bilingual version (Spanish and Portuguese) was used for data collection. MHLaSS-B intercultural adaptation followed three stages: translation, back-translation and pilot test and the thinking-aloud techniques. Content validity was performed by Content Validity Index and Modified Kappa statistic. Construct validity and reliability tests were performed. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Data were analysed using SPSS programs. Ethics committee approval and permission from the institution involved were obtained.

RESULTS

The MHLaSS-B has 28 items of one-factor structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.702. The cumulative variance explained was 23.14%. Respondents show High literacy and Low Stigma (M = 23.4).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS

The availability of the MHLaSS-B allows the general population of Portugal and Spain to have a versatile instrument for assessing stigma and MHL. The MHLaSS-B presents good psychometric properties, and it can be a useful tool for novice health workers to better understand the aspects they should pay attention to manage MHL and stigma successfully. The MHLaSS-B is a reliable, adaptable instrument that is now available and it can be used in investigation, teaching and clinical practice.

Exploring mental health stigma among Indonesian healthcare students towards individuals with mental illnesses: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The social disapproval or stigma surrounding mental illness contributes to the postponement of individuals seeking assistance and frequently undermines therapeutic alliances between mental illness sufferers and health care professionals.

AIMS

This study explored perceptions and attitudes towards individuals with mental illness among college healthcare students in Indonesia.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative method. Twenty five students enrolled in six healthcare programs were interviewed using a semi structured format. The data analysis adopted a thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Our thematic analysis generated four main themes: (1) general perceptions of mental health and mental illness; (2) knowledge about mental illness; (3) mental health stigma; and (4) mental health stigma campaigns.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants exhibited positive perceptions of mentally ill people. Students understood mental health, and they exhibited positive attitudes toward mentally ill people. Some students have stigma and lack of confidence to assist those who have mental illness. Further efforts are required to acquaint students with mental health issues and facilitate their interaction with mentally ill individuals. Anti-stigma campaigns are required to combat the pervasive stigmatization of individuals with mental illness. It is recommended to conduct a more extensive study about the stigma that students encounter in relation to mentally ill individuals.

Physical, psychological, and social experiences of women recovered from COVID-19 in Iran: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

This paper aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on various health aspects of women recovered from this disease in Ardabil province, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This qualitative study using a content analysis approach was carried out through in-depth individual and focus group discussion using semi-structured interviews schedule in 26 women during June and August 2021. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and MAXQDA six-stage analysis framework.

RESULTS

Negative consequences of COVID-19 were generally categorized into five main themes (including increased self-conscious excitement, perceived social stigma, depression, changes in behavioral patterns, and reduced level of quality of life) and 13 subthemes. The positive consequences were the following five themes (including the development of the spiritual attitude, increasing the importance of personal health, the rise of perceived support, increased sense of altruism, and increased financial management) and four subthemes.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings, it is concluded that effective support by the government, society, and the medical staff could help to relieve people's psychological and social stress through providing financial aid, the right information, and training.