[Experienced stigmatization within the somatic healthcare system : A survey of people with diagnoses of severe mental illnesses].

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) suffer from poorer somatic health and increased mortality compared to the general population. As experiences of stigmatization can have a negative impact on physical health, this study aims to determine how often people with SMI experience stigmatization in the somatic healthcare system in Germany.

METHODS

Online survey to measure experiences of stigmatization according to the Mental Illness Stigma Framework (MISF) of people with vs. without SMI.

RESULTS

People with SMI report significantly more instances of stigmatization across the three subscales, discrimination, stereotyping and prejudice and, within these situations, they also report experiencing stigmatization more frequently.

CONCLUSION

People with SMI experience significantly more discrimination in the somatic healthcare system due to their diagnosis. This study points to the need for antistigmatization measures in somatic healthcare and offers ideas for future research.