Stigmatization of psychiatrists by pedagogues.

UNLABELLED

Psychiatrists, as well as their patients, are the objects of the stigmatization process. The question arises as to whether stigmatization of psychiatrists is a phenomenon that occurs among the pedagogues. Answering this question has an important social dimension because it is the teacher and the pedagogue who shapes the attitudes of young people.

AIM

Aim of the study was preliminary, pilot assessment of the severity of stigmatization of psychiatrists by teachers and educators who do not have everyday contact with mentally ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study involved a survey of 64 teachers and educators supplementing their education within the system of various postgraduate courses and complementary second-cycle master studies. The control group consisted of pedagogues and social workers working with mentally ill subjects in social welfare homes, community self-help homes and social assistance (54 persons). A survey questionnaire of own design was used to evaluate the stigmatization process.

RESULTS

The first question concerning "assimilation of psychiatrists to their patients" was answered "yes" by 50 respondents from the study group and 13 from the control group (OR 11.236; 95% - 95 percent confidence interval CI 4.76-26.63). Question 2, regarding the choice of the profession of a psychiatrist by people suffering from mental disorders themselves was answered "yes" by 51 respondents from the study group and 14 from the control group (OR 11.21; 95% CI 4.74-26.52). The answer "yes" to the third question about "screening of the people they are talking to by psychiatrists" was obtained from 40 subjects in the study group and 5 in the control group (OR 4.33; 95% CI 3.13-17.21). The fourth question concerning attentive scrutinizing of other people by psychiatrists was answered "yes" by 42 subjects in the study group and 5 in the control group (OR 8.40; 95% CI 3.26-19.82). 51 people from the study group and 5 from the control group (OR 35; 00 95% CI 11.72 to 104.57) did not want to have any contact with a psychiatrist. The statement that psychiatrists are "weird" more often than other doctors was given by 49 subjects from the study group and 10 from the control group (OR 14.37; 95% CI 5.86- 35.27). The opinion that "if someone is not suitable for a surgeon or an internist they choose the profession of a psychiatrist" was expressed by 48 subjects from the study group and 9 control subjects (OR 15.00; 95% CI 6.02 is 37.35). The "strange and incomprehensible" behaviors of psychiatrists were indicated by 45 subjects from the study group and 9 from the control group (OR 11.94; 95% CI 4.84-28.96). The notion that a psychiatrist can be recognized by strange behavior was indicated also by 45 study group and 9 control group respondents (OR 11.94; 95% CI 4,84-28,96). 52 subjects from the group of pedagogues and 8 from the control group (OR 24.91; 95% CI 9.36- 66.29) would not like to make friends with a psychiatrist. The view that psychiatrists, "speak to themselves and dress strangely" was expressed by 50 study group and 13 control group respondents (OR 11.236; 95% - 95 CI 4.76-26.63). There were 46 subjects in the study group and 9 in the control group (OR 12.77, 95% CI 5.19-31.41) who stated that psychiatrists should be avoided.

CONCLUSIONS

The profession of a psychiatrist is the object of stigmatization in the group of teachers and pedagogues not working with people with mental disorders. Working with psychiatric patients and psychiatrists does not completely counteract the process of stigmatization of psychiatrists.