Chonnam Med J.  2002 Dec;38(4):373-382.

Stigmatization of Patients with Mental Illness in Korean-Chinese and Korean

• Lee MS
• Yang JC
• Zheng TJ

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify and compare the stigmatization of the mentally ill between Korean-Chinese and Korean. The 315 university students who lived in Yan Bian of Ji Lin Prov. in China and the 177 Chonnam National University students in Korea were surveyed with "a questionaire regarding stigmatization of the mentally ill". The Yan Bian subjects had more experience of direct contact and communication with mentally ill patients than Korean subjects, whereas the Koreans had more educational experience on mental illness. The attitude of Yan Bian subjects toward the mentally ill are more sympathetic and tolerant. The Koreans had much more knowledge about mental illness and less prejudice in relation to the knowledge. Both groups had little knowledge about schizophrenia, neurotic disorder, dementia, and alcohol dependence; however, about dementia and alcohol dependence the Koreans had better knowledge. Both groups, especially Korean, felt strongly negative about mental hospitals. Both groups responded with fear and worry to the open-door policy of mental hospitals; however, the negative attitude may change to a better one. It is advisable to let people make direct contact and communication with mentally ill patients, to educate them based on concrete surveys and planning, to improve facilities and patient-care circumstances of psychiatric hospitals, and to make strenuous efforts to promote open-door policy, in order to reduce the stigmatization of patients with mental illness.

Keyword

Mental illness; Stigmatization; Korean-Chinese; Korean

MeSH Terms

Alcoholism
China
Dementia
Hospitals, Psychiatric
Humans
Jeollanam-do
Korea
Linear Energy Transfer
Mentally Ill Persons
Neurotic Disorders
Prejudice
Schizophrenia
Stereotyping*