Diabetes-Fallberichte

Abstrakt

Public Stigma on Depression Comorbid with Diabetes: A Vignette Method Study in China

Patrick Leung, Robin E. Gearing, Wanzhen Chen, Monit Cheung, Kathryne B. Brewer, Xiao Li, and Xuesong He

Depression and diabetes are common illnesses affecting individuals with health challenges and family stress. This study examined factors predicting public stigma on depression alone or comorbid with diabetes. In Shanghai, 125 respondents read one of four randomly selected vignettes varied by Vignette Subject (VS)’s illness and gender before answering the Individualized Public Stigma (IPS) scale. This vignette method measured each respondent’s Individualized Public Stigma score, attitude toward the subject’s family with the Devaluation of Consumer’s Families score, and problem seriousness leading to stress. A regression analysis found an overall significance (p<.001) between IPS and five independent variables: problem seriousness, knowing someone with a mental health problem, subject’s gender, attitude toward the affected family, and depression comorbid with diabetes. A person’s Individualized Public Stigma is significantly associated with the perceived problem seriousness and sympathy toward the affected family. Yet, comorbidity with diabetes as a factor does not independently predict public stigma against mental illness. This study concludes that the cultural value toward community support can be an educational means to help the public realize the negative impact of public stigma toward mental illness on the patients and their families.