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Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in a Municipality in the North of Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Raquel Simões de Almeida

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Maria João Trigueiro

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Paula Portugal

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sara de Sousa

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University Hospital Center of São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Vítor Simões-Silva

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Filipa Campos

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria Silva

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • António Marques

    (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory, Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Portugal has Europe’s second-highest prevalence of psychiatric illnesses, and this is the reason why mental health literacy (MHL) and stigma should be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the mental health literacy and stigma levels among different groups of people from Póvoa de Varzim, a municipality in the north of Portugal. Students, retired people, and professionals (education, social, and healthcare fields) were recruited using a convenience sample from June to November 2022. Participants’ MHL levels were evaluated using the Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale (MHPK), Mental Health Literacy Measure (MHLM) and Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS). Stigma levels were evaluated using Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness (CAMI) and the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS). A total of 928 questionnaires were filed. The respondents included 65.70% of women, a mean age of 43.63 (±26.71) years and 9.87 (±4.39) years of school education. MHL increased with age, education level and was higher in women ( p < 0.001). A higher level of MHL was seen in health professionals ( p < 0.001). Findings revealed that older people stigmatized people with mental illness more ( p < 0.001), and the female gender stigmatize less ( p < 0.001). In addition, results showed that stigma decreased with higher mental health literacy (r between 0.11 and 0.38; p < 0.001). To conclude, specific campaigns that promote mental health literacy should be tailored to specific profiles within this population to address those that have more stigma.

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Simões de Almeida & Maria João Trigueiro & Paula Portugal & Sara de Sousa & Vítor Simões-Silva & Filipa Campos & Maria Silva & António Marques, 2023. "Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in a Municipality in the North of Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3318-:d:1067723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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