Perceived stigma and discrimination among persons with mood and anxiety disorders: Results from the WHO World Mental Health Survey Portugal

Background and objectives

The stigma attached to mental disorders remains a public health challenge, represents an important barrier to healthcare and widens existing social inequalities.

This study aimed to characterize the association between perceived stigma and mental disorders. The two main objectives were to estimate the association between perceived stigma and 12-month anxiety and mood disorders, and to assess the factors associated with perceived stigma among persons with these mental disorders.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of the Portuguese population was used. Participants were Portuguese-speaking adults, aged 18 or above and residing in permanent dwellings in the country's mainland. The survey was administered by trained lay interviewers using a computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) on a face-to-face setting.

Results

The results showed a two-fold increase in the likelihood of experiencing stigma among individuals with 12-month anxiety and mood disorders, slightly higher in the latter, when compared with individuals without. Among the sub-sample with these mental disorders, participants retired (or others), with psychiatric comorbidity and with co-occurrence of psychiatric and physical disorders had higher odds of reporting perceived stigma.

Conclusions

The findings of this study highlight the need to consider stigma as a public health priority in Portugal and to develop policies to create awareness and promote the social inclusion of persons with mental disorders.