Self-Stigma among Mentally Ill People in Bangladesh

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and self-stigma of hospital admitted mentally ill people in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 mental illness people who were selected by using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected by face to face interview and medical records. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.33(SD = 8.766) years, ranging from 18-50 years with the male participants 60.96%. High level of self-stigma was found in 74.3% of the study participants. The total mean score of self-stigma was 2.70. Significant relationship were found among self-stigma and no formal education (F= 4.065, p=.02), monthly family income (F = 4.174, p=.018), and hospital admissions due to mental illness (r=.307, p=.001). Conclusion: The study showed self-stigma is more common phenomenon in psychiatric patients. Special attention needs to be paid who have lack of formal education, low income, and total number of hospitalizations