Background: The high prevalence of mental disorders related to posttraumatic stress
among Syrian refugees is often in contrast with their low utilization ofmental health care in
the host countries. Mental health self-stigma, i.e., internalized stigma of having a mental
disorder, could prevent individuals from seeking mental health care. Therefore, we aimed
to provide evidence on different aspects of mental health self-stigmatization among adult
Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms residing in Germany. Moreover, we
investigated associations with sociodemographic and psychopathological variables in
order to identify those at higher risk of self-stigmatization.
Material and Methods: Overall, 133 participants with mild to moderate posttraumatic
stress symptoms were recruited in the metropolitan areas of Leipzig, Dresden and Halle,
Germany, using a multimodal approach. Mental health self-stigma was assessed using
the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale – Short Form (SSMIS-SF), consisting of four
subscales (Stereotype awareness, Stereotype agreement, Application to self, Harm to
self-esteem), each scoring from 5 (low) to 45 (high) points. Linear regression analysis
was used to test associations of sociodemographic and psychopathological variables
with self-stigma subscales.
Results: On average, self-stigma ratings ranged from 16.5 (SD = 6.6) points on
Application to self to 28.3 (SD = 7.5) points on Stereotype awareness. Results showed
higher scores on Application to self for individuals who were younger (t =2.65, p=0.009)
and single (F = 5.70, p = 0.004). Regression analyses yielded statistically significant
associations between having multiple comorbidities and a higher Application to self
stigma ( = 0.18, p = 0.044), controlling for sociodemographic covariates.
Discussion: Mental health self-stigma was increased among Syrian refugees in
Germany. Correlates of increased self-stigma could inform efforts to improve access to
mental health care among Syrian refugees with mental ill-health. Longitudinal studies
following an intersectional approach by concurrently examining multiple forms of public
and internalized stigma could provide helpful insights for developing tailored stigma
reduction efforts in this context.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:84481 |
| Date | 31 March 2023 |
| Creators | Bär, Jonathan, Pabst, Alexander, Röhr, Susanne, Luppa, Melanie, Renner, Anna, Nagl, Michaela, Dams, Judith, Grochtdreis, Thomas, Kersting, Anette, König, Hans-Helmut, Riedel-Heller, Steffi G. |
| Publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 1664-0640, 642618 |
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