Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the psychosocial impacts of stigmatization and discrimination among persons with mental disorders at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 121 participants for the study. The instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire which consisted of 4 sections. Data was collected using face-to-face method and questionnaire retrieved at the spot. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, tables and percentages. The findings of the study revealed that large proportion 90 (74.4%) respondents always keep their mental health problem hidden from others with (X)=1.74; 75(62.0%) don’t have any close personal relationship with (X)=1.62, 101(81%) respondents often isolate from others due to fear of unfair treatment (X)=1.83. 88 (72.7%) participants adopted avoiding negative information that anger-in associated then avoid angry emotions, 76(62.8%) participants cope by attending social support groups with (X)=1.63. There was a significant relationship between age and the psychological impacts of stigmatization and discrimination (X2 =37.53 and P= 0.01). Stigmatization and discrimination had significant impact on psychosocial wellbeing resulting in self-isolation a major cause of suicidal thoughts.

Keywords: Psychosocial Impacts, Stigmatization, Discrimination, Mental Disorders Neuropsychiatric