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Tensions and Paradoxes of Stigma: Discussing Stigma in Mental Health Rehabilitation

Author

Listed:
  • Jenny Paananen

    (Department of Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 54, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Camilla Lindholm

    (Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Melisa Stevanovic

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Elina Weiste

    (Department of Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 54, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Mental illness remains as one of the most stigmatizing conditions in contemporary western societies. This study sheds light on how mental health professionals and rehabilitants perceive stigmatization. The qualitative study is based on stimulated focus group interviews conducted in five Finnish mental health rehabilitation centers that follow the Clubhouse model. The findings were analyzed through inductive content analysis. Both the mental health rehabilitants and the professionals perceived stigmatization as a phenomenon that concerns the majority of rehabilitants. However, whereas the professionals viewed stigma as something that is inflicted upon the mentally ill from the outside, the rehabilitants perceived stigma as something that the mentally ill themselves can influence by advancing their own confidence, shame management, and recovery. Improvements in treatment, along with media coverage, were seen as the factors that reduce stigmatization, but the same conceptualization did not hold for serious mental illnesses. As the average Clubhouse client was thought to be a person with serious mental illness, the rehabilitation context designed to normalize attitudes toward mental health problems was paradoxically perceived to enforce the concept of inevitable stigma. Therefore, it is important for professionals in rehabilitation communities to be reflexively aware of these tensions when supporting the rehabilitants.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Paananen & Camilla Lindholm & Melisa Stevanovic & Elina Weiste, 2020. "Tensions and Paradoxes of Stigma: Discussing Stigma in Mental Health Rehabilitation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5943-:d:399662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prior, Lindsay & Wood, Fiona & Lewis, Glyn & Pill, Roisin, 2003. "Stigma revisited, disclosure of emotional problems in primary care consultations in Wales," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(10), pages 2191-2200, May.
    2. Alaa Mahsoon & Loujain Sharif & Maram Banakhar & Nofaa Alasmee & Esraa Almowallad & Razan Jabali & Amjad Bahamil & Sara Assur, 2020. "Parental Support, Beliefs about Mental Illness, and Mental Help-Seeking among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Carmen K. M. Ng & Stephen H. F. Lam & Sally T. K. Tsang & Cheong M. C. Yuen & Chi-Wen Chien, 2020. "The Relationship between Affiliate Stigma in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Children’s Activity Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sophie Favre & Jean-Michel Aubry & Hélène Richard-Lepouriel, 2023. "Perceived public stigma and perceived public exposure by persons living with bipolar disorder: A qualitative study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(2), pages 378-387, March.
    2. Chung-Ying Lin & Hector W. H. Tsang, 2020. "Stigma, Health and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Miira Niska & Melisa Stevanovic & Elina Weiste & Tommi Ostrovskij & Taina Valkeapää & Camilla Lindholm, 2021. "Self-Disclosure and Non-Communication: Stigma Management in Third-Sector Transitional Employment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.

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