A systematic literature review to highlight the causes and destructive impact of stigmatization on health status of mentally challenged clients in developing countries

Abstract

Introduction: Mental illness is a major obstacle of the health care system throughout the world. The solutions and knowledge about mental health issues have increased many folds over time. However, in many parts of the world, the stigma is still attached to the mental illness. It is felt that it will bring a bad name to the family if any of the family members are mentally unstable. Purpose: This paper aims to highlight major causes, probable consequences and suggest recommendations to demark stigmatized mentally ill patients in the developing world. Method: A systemic review of 25 pieces of literature from recent scholar articles (2008- 2014) was conducted to study the impact of stigmatization on mentally ill patients. Result: The findings suggest that the most significant causes of the stigma in the socio-cultural domain are society’s pre-conceived ideas, lack of knowledge, and myths that authenticate this stigma surrounding the mental illness. Moreover, the vicious cycle of stigmatization on patients’ lives and the attitude of health care providers are also among the very important aspects highlighted in some studies. The impact manifested was even more devastating including under or over diagnosed mental illness, delay in health seeking behavior and poor prognosis in community as well as hospital setting. Recommendation: It is essential to address these issues and arrange awareness sessions in order to improve the quality of life.

Keywords

• stigma
• socio-cultural domain
• mental health
• mental illness