Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00023752%3A_____%2F24%3A43921384" target="_blank" >RIV/00023752:_____/24:43921384 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000744?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000744?via%3Dihub</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100369" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100369</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies

Original language description

Aims: The Covid-19 pandemic and related social restrictions have been associated with increased rates of mental health problems, prompting a global surge in interest in mental well-being, which might have had a positive effect on population mental health literacy (MHL). We aimed to compare levels of mental health related stigma among the Czech general adult population before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as recognition of own mental health problems, among those members of the general population who screened positively for mental disorders.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple almost identically designed cross-sectional surveys carried out on representative samples of the non-institutionalized adult population in Czechia in 2017, 2019, and 2022. Mental health problems were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) in 2017 and 2022, while Self-identification of Mental Illness Scale (SELF-I) gauged self-recognition in 2017 and 2022. Mental health-related stigma was evaluated using the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS) and the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness scale (CAMI) in 2019 and 2022.Results: Attitudes towards individuals with mental health problems exhibited no statistically significant change; however, reported and intended behaviours, i.e. proxies of social distance, changed for the better. Also, self-recognition of mental health problems demonstrated statistically significant improvements among those screening positive for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk, but not among alcohol use disorders.Conclusions: Population MHL remains low and recent positive changes are likely more attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic and related increase in interest in mental health than to deliberate efforts by government or state or other entities. This underscores the complex interplay between societal factors and mental health outcomes, warranting further exploration and reconsideration of public mental health strategies.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

30109 - Pathology

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

SSM - Mental Health

ISSN

2666-5603

e-ISSN

2666-5603

Volume of the periodical

6

Issue of the periodical within the volume

Article number: 100369

Country of publishing house

NL - THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Number of pages

7

Pages from-to

1-7

UT code for WoS article

001373001700001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85210700933