The influence of stigma on depression, overall psychological distress, and somatization among female Turkish migrants.
Eur Psychiatry
; 27 Suppl 2: S22-6, 2012 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22863246
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Even though some studies suggest that in Mediterranean and non-western cultures more somatic and less psychological symptoms are reported, this so-called 'somatization' hypothesis has been challenged. Reviews show that somatic symptoms are a core component of depressive episodes regardless of cultural background. The expression of symptoms might be related to the psychosocial, social and cultural context surrounding the patient rather than 'ethnicity' or related constructs. Also, stigma associated with mental disorders can affect patients'symptom presentation.METHODS:
The interrelationships of perceived stigmatization (Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue - Stigma Scale), depression (Beck Depression Index II), overall psychological distress (Symptom Checklist-90-R), and somatic symptoms (The screening for SOMATOFORM SYMPTOMS II) was assessed in a sample of female patients with Turkish descent with a diagnosis of depression (N=63).RESULTS:
Depression, overall psychological distress, and somatic symptoms were positively and significantly related. Stigma was positively related to depression and overall psychological distress. There was no significant relationship between stigma and somatic symptoms, neither among the severely depressed group (N=39), nor among the less depressed group (N=24).CONCLUSION:
The positive relationships between stigma, depression, and overall psychological distress indicate that patients who are more depressed and who have higher levels of overall psychological distress experience their condition as more stigmatizing. Since somatic symptoms and stigma were not related (neither positively, nor negatively), it appears that depressive symptoms and other symptoms of psychological distress affect concerns about stigmatizing attitudes in a way that somatic symptoms do not. This result challenges common assumption of the 'somatization'hypothesis, i.e. that depression is 'somatized'because of concern about stigmatizing attitudes.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos Somatomorfos
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Estrés Psicológico
/
Trastorno Depresivo
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Emigrantes e Inmigrantes
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Estigma Social
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
/
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur Psychiatry
Asunto de la revista:
PSIQUIATRIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
ENGLAND
/
ESCOCIA
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GB
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GREAT BRITAIN
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INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
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SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM