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Mental health-related stigma and attitudes toward patient care among providers of mental health services in a rural Chinese county

Author

Listed:
  • Yuer Deng
  • An-Li Wang
  • Rosemary Frasso
  • Mao-Sheng Ran
  • Tian-Ming Zhang
  • Dexia Kong
  • Yin-Ling Irene Wong

Abstract

Background and aims: The increasing prevalence of mental illness and low treatment rate presents a pressing public health issue in China. Pervasive stigma is a significant barrier to mental health recovery and community inclusion. In particular, stigmatizing or supportive attitudes held by healthcare providers could either perpetuate or mitigate self-stigma of people with mental illness. Moreover, mental health resources are unevenly distributed in China, with most of them concentrated in urban centers and provincial capitals. This study explores healthcare providers’ attitudes toward mental illness and the challenges they faced at work in a rural Chinese county. Method: Four focus groups were conducted with 36 healthcare providers from a three-tier mental healthcare system in a rural county in southwestern China. Focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The team employed a conventional content analysis approach for data analysis. All transcripts were double-coded by three bilingual team members who are native Chinese speakers. Coding discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: Healthcare providers recruited from the county, township, and village levels varied in educational background, professional qualification, and experience of working with people with mental illness. Five thematic categories identified across four groups include (1) barriers to mental healthcare delivery, (2) keys to mental health recovery, (3) providers’ attitudes toward providing care, (4) providers’ perception toward patients and family members, and (5) providers’ perception of training needs. Conclusions: This is a unique study that included healthcare providers from a three-tier healthcare system. Findings signal the importance of understanding healthcare practitioners’ experiences and views to inform the design of training initiatives in rural or low-resource communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuer Deng & An-Li Wang & Rosemary Frasso & Mao-Sheng Ran & Tian-Ming Zhang & Dexia Kong & Yin-Ling Irene Wong, 2022. "Mental health-related stigma and attitudes toward patient care among providers of mental health services in a rural Chinese county," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(3), pages 610-618, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:68:y:2022:i:3:p:610-618
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764021992807
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatzenbuehler, M.L. & Phelan, J.C. & Link, B.G., 2013. "Stigma as a fundamental cause of population health inequalities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 813-821.
    2. Kathy Knox & Jasmina Fejzic & Amary Mey & Jane L Fowler & Fiona Kelly & Denise McConnell & Laetitia Hattingh & Amanda J Wheeler, 2014. "Mental health consumer and caregiver perceptions of stigma in Australian community pharmacies," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(6), pages 533-543, September.
    3. Yang, Lawrence H. & Chen, Fang-pei & Sia, Kathleen Janel & Lam, Jonathan & Lam, Katherine & Ngo, Hong & Lee, Sing & Kleinman, Arthur & Good, Byron, 2014. "“What matters most:” A cultural mechanism moderating structural vulnerability and moral experience of mental illness stigma," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 84-93.
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