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Stigma, Discrimination, Empowerment and Social Networks: a Preliminary Investigation of Their Influence On Subjective Quality of Life in a Swedish Sample

Author

Listed:
  • Bertil Lundberg

    (Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, PO Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden, bertil.lundberg@med.lu.se)

  • Lars Hansson

    (Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, PO Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden)

  • Elisabet Wentz

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Göteborg University, Kungsgatan 12, S-411 19 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Tommy Björkman

    (Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, PO Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Background: Studies investigating the importance of social network, empowerment and experiences of stigma on subjective quality of life among persons with mental illness are rare. Aim: This study aimed to investigate beliefs of devaluation/discrimination, actual rejection experiences, empowerment, social network and the relationship of these factors to subjective quality of life among subjects with mental illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessing beliefs of devaluation/discrimination, actual rejection experiences, empowerment, social network and subjective quality of life was performed on 150 subjects with mental illness. Results: The factors most prominently related to subjective quality of life were overall empowerment and overall social network. For a subgroup of subjects suffering from psychotic disorders there was a significant negative relationship between subjective quality of life and rejection experiences. This group also reported more frequent rejection experiences. Conclusion: The findings indicate that persons with mental illness are a heterogeneous group with regard to the influence of social network, stigma and empowerment on subjective quality of life. The negative impact of actual rejection experiences might express that, in order to increase subjective quality of life, stigma must be addressed as a separate and important factor in its own right.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertil Lundberg & Lars Hansson & Elisabet Wentz & Tommy Björkman, 2008. "Stigma, Discrimination, Empowerment and Social Networks: a Preliminary Investigation of Their Influence On Subjective Quality of Life in a Swedish Sample," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(1), pages 47-55, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:1:p:47-55
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764007082345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Michele Tansella & Graham Thornicroft & Heidi Lempp, 2014. "Lessons from Community Mental Health to Drive Implementation in Health Care Systems for People with Long-Term Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, April.
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    4. Ulrika Bejerholm & Tommy Björkman, 2011. "Empowerment in supported employment research and practice: Is it relevant?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(6), pages 588-595, November.
    5. Olga Valentim & Lídia Moutinho & Carlos Laranjeira & Ana Querido & Catarina Tomás & João Longo & Daniel Carvalho & João Gomes & Tânia Morgado & Tânia Correia, 2023. "“Looking beyond Mental Health Stigma”: An Online Focus Group Study among Senior Undergraduate Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Elisabeth Argentzell & Christel Leufstadius & Mona Eklund, 2014. "Social interaction among people with psychiatric disabilities – Does attending a day centre matter?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(6), pages 519-527, September.

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