Jornal Internacional de Saúde Mental de Emergência e Resiliência Humana

Abstrato

Psychosocial Impacts of Stigmatization and Discrimination among Persons with Mental Disorders at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar, Calabar Cross River State

Agba, Mathias, Aduaka Oluchukwu Stella, Enang, Kingsley Oju, Ojong, N. Idang, Agba, Affiong Mathias, Ita Priscilla Andrew-Bassey

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychosocial impacts of stigmatization and discrimination among persons with mental disorders at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 121 participants for the study. The instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire which consisted of 4 sections. Data was collected using face-to-face method and questionnaire retrieved at the spot. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, tables and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that large proportion 90 (74.4%) respondents always keep their mental health problem hidden from others with (X)=1.74; 75(62.0%) don’t have any close personal relationship with (X)=1.62, 101(81%) respondents often isolate from others due to fear of unfair treatment (X)=1.83. 88 (72.7%) participants adopted avoiding negative information that anger-in associated then avoid angry emotions, 76(62.8%) participants cope by attending social support groups with (X)=1.63. There was a significant relationship between age and the psychological impacts of stigmatization and discrimination (X2 =37.53 and P= 0.01). Stigmatization and discrimination had significant impact on psychosocial wellbeing resulting in self-isolation a major cause of suicidal thoughts.