The aim of this novel piece of research was to explore experiences of self-stigma amongst a group of older people (aged 65+) currently using mental health services. In order to try and identify possible contributing factors to internalized stigma it was also decided to gather information on optimism and a baseline measure of distress. These scores were all compared with the individual’s likeliness to continue to use the mental health services as it was hypothesized that higher levels of self-stigma would be linked with a lower likelihood to continue to use services. Fourteen participants (age range 65-92) from three different geographical areas agreed to take part having been approached by a mental health professional known to them. Interviews were then arranged directly with each participant, with each interview being made up of three questionnaire measures to rate levels of distress, optimism and experiences of mental health stigma, a Likelihood to Continue to Use Services rating scale, and a repertory grid. The repertory grids had been specifically designed to explore the construct systems of the participants in relation to their age. The main finding was that experiences of mental health stigma were minimal, but that participants showed some signs of internalizing ageist attitudes. However, neither of these variables was correlated with a likelihood to continue to use services, suggesting that it is factors other than mental health stigma and age stigma and selfstigmatization that impact on an older person’s decision to continue to engage with mental health services or not. The small sample size also meant that power was lacking from the findings, indicating that further research needs to be carried out. This study has opened up a research area which needs further ongoing investigation in order to fully explore the clinical implications of self-stigma in relation to age and mental health problems. Areas of potential future research are offered and briefly explored.

The diploma thesis deals with the topic of self-stigmatization of peer consultants and their position in the work team. The aim of this work is to examine the degree of self-stigmatization in peer consultants, how they experience and overcome it. And gather knowledges haw to support the current education and position of peer consultants in the work environment. The work is divided into theoretical and empirical part. The theoretical part describes the stigmatization, peer consultation and the recovery process. The empirical part consists of two consecutive research studies. The first examines the degree of self-stigmatization of peer consultants on comparison with the general population of the mentally ill in the Czech Republic. And the second examines whether and how peer consultants experience self-stigmatization, how they work with it, and what role their surroundings, especially relationships and employment, play in their view. It also examines the current working environment conditions of peer workers. Mainly in the field of competencies, job description and education. Research shows that the level of self-stigmatization measured by the ISMI scale is significantly lower for peer consultants than for mentally ill people who do not work as peer workers. Interviews and their analysis showed that...

Självstigmatisering är en komplex process som innebär att personer riskerar att ta till sig negativa stereotyper och attityder som riktas mot dem. Under de senaste årtiondena har intresset ökat kring självstigmatisering men det finns fortfarande lite forskningen kring fenomenet. Syftet med studien var att beskriva självstigmatisering hos personer med schizofreni. Studien utfördes som en litteraturstudie, där åtta vetenskapliga artiklar har granskats och analyserats. Resultatet visade att det finns ett flertal olika faktorer som påverkar graden av självstigmatisering hos personer med schizofreni, bland annat antalet psykiatriska inläggningar och sjukdomens svårighetsgrad. Självstigmatisering visade sig också resultera i en negativ syn på sig själv och sina egna förmågor. Ytterligare kvantitativ forskning behövs, men det finns också ett stort behov av kvalitativ forskning som fokuserar på individens egna erfarenheter och upplevelser av självstigmatisering. Vården behöver bli bättre på att förstå och uppmärksamma självstigmatisering. Evidensbaserad omvårdnad behöver utvecklas utifrån omvårdnadsprocessens alla steg för att minska självstigmatisering. / Self-stigmatization is a complex process which implies that the person might internalize negative stereotypes and attitudes that are directed towards them. The interest for self-stigmatization has increased during the last decade, but there is still little research on the phenomenon. The aim of this study was to describe self-stigmatization amongst people with schizophrenia. The study was conducted as a literature study, where eight scientific articles were reviewed and analyzed. The results showed that the degree of self-stigmatization amongst people with schizophrenia was affected by a various of factors, including the number of psychiatric hospitalizations and the severity of the illness. Self-stigmatization also proved to result in a negative view on oneself and the own abilities. Further quantitative research is needed, but there is also a great need for qualitative research that focuses on individual’s own experiences. The health care needs to better understand and pay attention to self-stigmatization. Efforts in evidence-based nursing also needs to be developed based on all the steps in the nursing process to reduce self-stigmatization.

Bakgrund: Psykisk ohälsa är ett växande samhällsproblem. Attityder och upplevelse av stigmatisering inom hälso- och sjukvården kan påverka relationen i vårdmötet både positivt och negativt. För personer med psykisk ohälsa kan detta vara av särskilt betydelse. Syfte: I denna studie var syftet att undersöka patienters upplevelser av attityder hos vårdpersonal samt patienters upplevelser av självstigmatisering. Metod: En litteraturstudie med en kvalitativ ansats utfördes. Artiklar söktes i databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PsychInfo och 22 vetenskapliga originalartiklar valdes ut primärt. Efter granskning utgjordes ett definitivt urval av 13 artiklar. Hildegard Peplaus omvårdnasteori valdes som arbetets teoretiska referensram. Resultat: Negativa attityder skildrades i interaktionen mellan patient och vårdpersonal i form av brist på visat intresse och upplevelser av att bli ifrågasatt, inte bli lyssnad på eller bli tagen seriös. Maktskillnader i relationen och diskriminering beskrevs även som negativa attityder. Positiva attityder innefattade stöd och empati, erfarenheter av att bli tagen seriös, lyssnad på och sedd bortom sjukdomen. Självstigmatisering framställdes som olika aspekter av en negativ självbild präglad av rädsla och skam, vilket medförde att deltagarna tvekade på sina förmågor. Undanhållande av sin psykiska ohälsa och upplevelser av att bli märkt med etiketter var också erfarenheter av självstigmatisering. Slutsats: Verksamheter inom vården bör arbeta kontinuerligt med personalens bemötande och attityder för att skapa en god vårdande miljö för patienten. En miljö där patienten upplever goda attityder minimerar risken att denne drabbas av negativa konsekvenser, såsom en negativ självbild. För att också ge bästa möjliga omvårdnad bör patientens upplevelse tas i beaktande i omvårdnadsprocessen. / Background: Mental illness is a growing societal problem. Attitudes and experiences of stigmatization in health care services can have both positive and negative effects on the patient-staff-relationship. For people with mental illness, this can be of particular importance.  Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify patients’ experiences of attitudes among health care personnel, along with patients’ experiences of self-stigmatization. Method: A litterary study based on qualitative research was formed. PubMed, CINAHL and Psychinfo were used as databases for the literary search and 22 scientific originalarticles were chosen. After further inspection, the final selection consisted of 13 articles. Hildegard Peplau’s theory of nursing was chosen as the theoretical reference frame. Results: Negative attitudes were depicted in the patient-staff interaction in form of staff showing lack of interest and experiences of being questioned, not listened to or taken seriously. Power-imbalance and discrimination were also described as negative attitudes. Positive attitudes involved being given support and empathy, and experiences of being taken seriously, listened to and seen as beyond the disease. Self-stigma emerged in different aspects of negative self-image incused by fear and shame causing hesitancy of the participants’ abilities. The illness being withheld and feelings of being labeled also depicted experiences of self-stigma. Conclusion: In order to create a good caring environment for the patient, health care services should work continuously with attitudes of health care personnel. An environment where patients experience positive attitudes, decreases the risk of they being affected by negative consequenses, such as a negative self-image. In addition, in order to yield best possible nursing, the patients’ experiences should be considered in the nursing process.

Background: It´s obvious that stigma reduces life opportunities and make people act throughout an outcast role. Stigma enters spheres where it is made up to protect a group, but only results in painful feelings for the vulnerable. Individuals suffering from psychosis are exposed to discrimination because of fear and prejudices. These are applied upon individuals whereas they stigmatize themselves.  Aim: To investigate the experience of self-stigma and stigmas effects on life for patients suffering from psychosis. Method: 24 scientific articles have been used and analyzed together with Whittemore and Knalfs integrative method (2005) for the result in this literature review.   After formulating a problem literature has been searched, evaluated, and analyzed in four steps which are presented. The literature was found through databases, free searching compounds and through references. As a theoretic framework the figure Existentiell ensamhet hos personer med psykiska funktionshinder from the doctoral Berättelser om ensamhetens vardag has been used.  Results: The psychiatric contact, to be a psychiatric patient and being labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis affected the way individuals labeled themselves. Individuals wanted to be seen as unique and listened to. The diagnosis contributed to feelings of shame and affected self-esteem and self-ability. Through acceptance of the disease participants could become something different than just a patient in the psychiatric services. Through other people the participant’s self-image could be built up. Social stigmas were described in all levels of society and also within the family. Relationships were important and a link to live a normal life and recover. Normality was desirable and said to occur through activities such as work and studies. Discussion: Was discussed through relevant research and Anette Erdners figure Existentiell ensamhet hos personer med psykiska funktionshinder from the doctoral Berättelser om ensamhetens vardag.