OBJECTIVE: To assess public stigma in relation to people with schizophrenia and possible factors associated with this phenomenon. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a probabilistic sample of 500 individuals who live in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and are aged between 18 and 65 years. A structured questionnaire was used, and it was applied in person. Questionnaire began with the presentation of a vignette describing an individual with schizophrenia (according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria). This was followed by questions that assessed perceived negative reactions and discrimination, perceived dangerousness and emotional reactions in relation to the case presented in the vignette. RESULTS: People with schizophrenia were perceived as potentially dangerous by 74.2% of interviewees. In addition, 59.0% of the sample perceived them as capable of arousing negative reactions, and 57.2% as capable of arousing discrimination in society. However, emotional reactions reported by the interviewees themselves were mainly pro-social in nature. The most important factors associated with these responses were: attribution of "biological" causes and perceived dangerousness. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that beliefs related to public stigma towards people with schizophrenia are commonly held in São Paulo city. An important focus for future studies is to investigate the scope and impact of public stigma on the everyday experiences of people with schizophrenia in the Brazilian context.
OBJECTIVE: To assess public stigma in relation to people with schizophrenia and possible factors associated with this phenomenon. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a probabilistic sample of 500 individuals who live in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and are aged between 18 and 65 years. A structured questionnaire was used, and it was applied in person. Questionnaire began with the presentation of a vignette describing an individual with schizophrenia (according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria). This was followed by questions that assessed perceived negative reactions and discrimination, perceived dangerousness and emotional reactions in relation to the case presented in the vignette. RESULTS:People with schizophrenia were perceived as potentially dangerous by 74.2% of interviewees. In addition, 59.0% of the sample perceived them as capable of arousing negative reactions, and 57.2% as capable of arousing discrimination in society. However, emotional reactions reported by the interviewees themselves were mainly pro-social in nature. The most important factors associated with these responses were: attribution of "biological" causes and perceived dangerousness. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that beliefs related to public stigma towards people with schizophrenia are commonly held in São Paulo city. An important focus for future studies is to investigate the scope and impact of public stigma on the everyday experiences of people with schizophrenia in the Brazilian context.
Authors: Marcia Scazufca; Maria Clara P de Paula Couto; Hsiang Huang; Rachel Kester; Patrícia Emília Braga; Érica T P Peluso; Sérgio L Blay; Paulo R Menezes; Euler E Ribeiro Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-06-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Antônio G da Silva; Alexandre A Loch; Vanessa P Leal; Paulo R da Silva; Monike M Rosa; Ozeias da C Bomfim; Leandro F Malloy-Diniz; Marcelo L Schwarzbold; Alexandre P Diaz; Antônio P Palha Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2020-07-27 Impact factor: 2.697
Authors: Franco Mascayano; Thamara Tapia; Sara Schilling; Rubén Alvarado; Eric Tapia; Walter Lips; Lawrence H Yang Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2016-03 Impact factor: 2.697