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Overview of Stigma against Psychiatric Illnesses and Advancements of Anti-Stigma Activities in Six Asian Societies

Author

Listed:
  • Zhisong Zhang

    (Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
    Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore)

  • Kaising Sun

    (Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Chonnakarn Jatchavala

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • John Koh

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Yimian Chia

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore)

  • Jessica Bose

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore)

  • Zhimeng Li

    (Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China)

  • Wanqiu Tan

    (Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
    The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Think Tank, Chongqing 400043, China)

  • Sizhe Wang

    (School of Mathematics, Jilin University, Changchun 2699, China)

  • Wenjing Chu

    (Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China)

  • Jiayun Wang

    (Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China)

  • Bach Tran

    (Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Roger Ho

    (Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
    Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
    Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
    Centre of Excellence in Behavioural Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam)

Abstract

Background : In psychiatry, stigma is an attitude of disapproval towards people with mental illnesses. Psychiatric disorders are common in Asia but some Asians receive inadequate treatment. Previous review found that Asians with mental illness were perceived to be dangerous and aggressive. There is a need for renewed efforts to understand stigma and strategies which can effectively reduce stigma in specific Asian societies. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an up-to-date overview of existing research and status on stigma experienced by psychiatric patients and anti-stigma campaigns in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand. Methods : A systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and local databases. Studies published in English and the official language of included countries/territories were considered for inclusion in the systematic review. Any article on stigma related to any form of psychiatric illness in the six Asian societies was included. Results : One hundred and twenty-three articles were included for this systematic review. This review has six major findings. Firstly, Asians with mental illnesses were considered as dangerous and aggressive, especially patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; second, psychiatric illnesses in Asian societies were less socially-acceptable and were viewed as being personal weaknesses; third, stigma experienced by family members was pervasive and this is known as family stigma; fourth, this systemic review reported more initiatives to handle stigma in Asian societies than a decade ago; fifth, there have been initiatives to treat psychiatric patients in the community; and sixth, the role of supernatural and religious approaches to psychiatric illness was not prevailing. Conclusion : This systematic review provides an overview of the available scientific evidence that points to areas of needed intervention to reduce and ultimately eliminate inequities in mental health in Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhisong Zhang & Kaising Sun & Chonnakarn Jatchavala & John Koh & Yimian Chia & Jessica Bose & Zhimeng Li & Wanqiu Tan & Sizhe Wang & Wenjing Chu & Jiayun Wang & Bach Tran & Roger Ho, 2019. "Overview of Stigma against Psychiatric Illnesses and Advancements of Anti-Stigma Activities in Six Asian Societies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:280-:d:303560
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    References listed on IDEAS

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