Exploring Stigma Towards Mental Illness

This assignment delves into the complex issue of stigma associated with mental illness. It examines various research articles that shed light on public attitudes towards mental health conditions, highlighting cultural influences and individual experiences. The assignment encourages critical analysis of methodological approaches used in these studies and explores potential avenues for reducing stigma through evidence-based interventions.

Research proposal

ABSTRACT
With time there are many changes that are been identified in the type of diseases that are
faced by individuals. With advancement in technology, it has enabled in developing and
overcoming the diseases that are faced. There are certain set of diseases for which individuals
develop stigma which is determined to be the negative perception that is developed due to which
people with diseases are considered to be different (Boyd and et.al., 2014, pp. 221-231). In this
present research, investigator has taken consideration in order to understand the impact of stigma
on patients with mental illness. In order to conduct the research in effective manner, both
primary and secondary data are used. Primary information will be collected from questionnaire
and the respondents will be professional who handle patients with mental illness. More
specifically about 20 professionals will be selected from whom information will be gathered. On
the other hand, secondary information will be gathered with the help of books, articles, journals,
etc. With the help of these sources, perception of professional will be determined. With the help
of this research appropriate steps will be determined that will enable to overcome the problems
that are faced by patients.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
AIM AND OBJECTIVES................................................................................................................1
RATIONALE & PRACTICAL UTILITY.......................................................................................1
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................2
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS........................................................................................................4
RESEARCH STAGES....................................................................................................................4
REVIEW OF LITERATURE & RESEARCH................................................................................6
AREAS/ISSUES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION.....................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

AIM AND OBJECTIVES
Aim: To understand the role of stigma on patients suffering from mental illness and its impact on
their health and well being.
Objectives:
 To analyse the beliefs and norms of stigma with patients of mental illness.
 To determine the negative impact of stigma on patients with mental illness.
 To recommend ways to reduce the impact of stigma on patients with metal illness.
RATIONALE & PRACTICAL UTILITY
Stigma is a state of disgrace that is often faced by the individuals suffering from some
type of mental illness or even from any disgraceful ill health such as AIDS, etc., that in turn
impact upon their mental condition. The present study is based on understanding the stigma that
are being faced by patients with mental illness. There are different set of diseases that are faced
by people and to overcome them, they consult professional who provide them with medical
treatment. Furthermore, there are different type of diseases for which people have developed
negative perception due to which patients have to face stigma (Corrigan and et.al., 2015, pp. 148-
154). The present research has aimed to understand the role of stigma and its impact on the
mental well being of patients suffering from some illness. It is a feasible research work that will
highlight the discriminatory behaviour of people towards the patients suffering from mental
illness by together identifying ways to diminish it (Boyd and et.al., 2014, pp. 221-231). Further,
there exists a negative impact of stigma over both mental and physical well being of an
individual suffering from ill health. This indicates a principal requirement of reducing such rising
rate of issues pertaining from stigma.
This is for instance to discourse upon several type of mental illness like Schizophrenia,
Depression, Autism, etc. However, people suffering from it do not prefer to visit professionals
due to the type of stigma that is being faced by them. Further, another main issue that are
commonly faced by the individuals with mental illness is discrimination. For example, within an
organization, all the workers are required to be treated equally but when a person has some sort
of metal illness, then they are discriminated on the basis of their disease and are not hired for the
applied and interviewed post (Corrigan, Druss and Perlick, 2014, pp. 37-70). Such type of
discrimination is being directed with a negative remark which is made on the mental disability of
the individual suffering from any disorder. Moreover, they themselves develop a perception that
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they are different in a negative way, when compared to others. This is a type of issue due to
which they often fails to perform the tasks or activities assigned to them similar to fit individuals
despite of not facing any such issue for its completion but due to a mere lack of confidence.
From this research, one will be able to determined the main causes or problems that are
faced by patient due to stigma in relation with mental illness. Further, proper analysis is made for
the beliefs and norms in stigma on patients with mental illness (Sewilam and et.al., 2015, pp.
111-120). In addition to different ways will be determined that enable to reduce the impact of
stigma for the patient who have mental illness.
METHODOLOGY
This is an important aspect that enables to present the research in effective manner. There
are different type of tools, techniques that are involved in research methodology (Mackey and
Gass, 2015). Further, it can be determined to be a theoretical or systematic analysis that is
applied to the field of study. Moreover, it comprises theoretical analysis of the methods and the
principles that are associated with branch of knowledge (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015).
With this respect, for the current research, below given are the strategies and methods that will
be followed by the investigator:
Research Strategy: This has been determined to be an important technique or strategy
that enable the researcher to focus on the objectives that needs to be achieved. These are of two
types which are qualitative and quantitative strategy (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015).
Among these two, qualitative strategy can be determined to be an effective research strategy that
enables to focus on the models and theories that help in achieving the research aim and
objectives. Furthermore, consideration made by the strategy is related with subjective idea in
context with the research topic (Zunder, Aditjandra and Carnaby, 2014). On the other hand,
quantitative strategies is the one which enables to gather information with the help of analysis
and measuring, this is done with the help of statistical techniques and tools. Both the tools are
effective enough to make sure that the objectives that are set by the researcher will be achieved.
On comparing both these strategies, researcher in the present study will apply the qualitative
strategy of research (Strang, 2015). It is an effective tool that will focus on different type of
theories that are developed by other researchers in their carried studies with the help of which,
the research objectives of the current study will be achieved.
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Data collection: It is an important aspect that enable to gather information with respect to
the current research (Flick, 2015). There are two type of research strategies which are: primary
and secondary. The present research work will be based upon the use of both aforementioned
methods of data collection. Primary strategies are those which are collected for the first time. In
this research investigator will make use of questionnaire in which all the question related with
the objectives will be included (Wickham, 2016). On the other hand, secondary information are
those which are already being collected by some other person. It includes sources that will be
used as books, journals, articles, etc. Both these data collection methods will enable to
understand the perception of individuals that they have for the research topic which collected (
Ott and Longnecker, 2015). There are different type of research that are already being collected
by some other researchers and these are helpful enough to make sure that in depth information
can be raised. This considered to be an important tools that enables the researcher to select
appropriate sources with the help of which adequate information can be gathered.
Sampling: This is considered to be the approach through which information is collected
from the targeted respondents. It is difficult to get data from whole population and so sampling
method is an important aspect that selects the most appropriate respondents who will be able to
provide adequate information (Silverman, 2016). There are two different type of methods which
are non probability and probabilistic sampling method. The researcher in the present
investigation will make a prompt use of random sampling where few individuals will be selected
from a large set of population who are somewhat related to the chosen subject matter. The
information will be gathered in the form of questions that are included in the questionnaire. As
sample who will provide information are professionals who understand the mental conditions
and provide them treatment (Csikszentmihalyi and Larson, 2014). They will be most suitable
respondents as they handle different type of cases in which they get to know the mental condition
of patients. In addition to this, the questionnaire will be distributed among 20 professionals.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. and Larson, R., 2014. Validity and reliability of the experience-sampling
method. In Flow and the foundations of positive psychology (pp. 35-54). Springer Netherlands.
Data analysis: There are various type of methods that can be followed through which the
collected information can be analysed. It is also known as data analysis tool and it is considered
to be an effective tool for the interpretation of data that helps to come up with appropriate
outcomes (Wickham, 2016). The type of strategy that will be used in the current investigation
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will be qualitative in nature and the type of data analysis method adopted over here will reflect a
thematic analysis of the key findings. This is a type of method that enables to present the
collected information in form of tables, graphs, etc. there are many questions that will be asked
in the questionnaire (Lazer, Kennedy and Vespignani, 2014). Thematic will enable to make
proper analysis of the information from each of the respondents and it will be enable to come up
with appropriate outcome the current research objectives that are being developed by the
investigator.
Ethical consideration: There are about 20 respondents from whom, the information will
be gathered and as a researcher, it is important to make sure that all the personal information that
is collected from them is not being shared to anyone and only the person who is authorised will
be allowed to access the same (Smith, 2015). Further, safety of the participants is also required to
be considered and they should be conveyed regarding the reasons for which the research is being
conducted. Further, information will be gathered from some previous studies that are already
being collected by some other researchers studying similar field of research. In this context, there
are conditions in which proper account needs to be made so that a relevant set of data can be
used for considering the current research (Ratheesh, Berk and McGorry, 2014). Further,
information from other research can not be used as it is but it can only be used as a reference
guide. In addition to this, the issues or problems related to plagiarism should be avoided and
there should be a proper use of citations in the work.
.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
There are different type of instruments that can be implemented with the help of which
the information that is required for conducting the research in an effective manner can be
identified (Zohrabi, 2013). For this purpose, there are many type of instruments that can be used.
In this context, it includes focus groups, case studies, observation, questionnaire, survey, etc.
Among these, focus groups are those in which specific groups are targeted to deliver a relevant
set of information (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Further, case study contains information with the
help of conditions that has caused and it enables to get relevant information for the same.
Observation is type of instrument that consider the skills that enables to find out and collect
information by merely observing the participants. Further, it includes questionnaire in which,
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questions are developed as per the type of objectives that needs to be achieved. It enables to
determine the perception that has been developed by individuals for the same (Taylor, Bogdan
and DeVault, 2015). Moreover, it consists of interview in which questions are asked to gather
information. When compared with all these instruments, researcher will hereby make use of a
questionnaire with whose assistance, 20 professionals who handles patient with metal illness will
be questioned. There are about many questions that will be covered and each of the questions
made will be as per the research objectives. Further, the questionnaire will be directly transmitted
with the help of email to each of the participant respondents in their provided mail ID's.
.
RESEARCH STAGES
Activity 1th
Week
2nd
Week
3rd
Week
4th
Week
5th
Week
6th
Week
7th
Week
8th
Week
9th
Week
10th
Week
Find
researc
h Topic
Literat
ure
Review
Draftin
g of
method
ology
Finish
Proposa
l
Design
questio
n and
pilot
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researc
h
Carry
out &
Record
Researc
h
Data
Analysi
s and
Making
Graphs
Discussi
on and
Conclus
ion
Final
Report
Editing
&
Complet
ion
In accordance with the above made, table it can be stated that within the time of 10 weeks
investigator will be able to complete the research project. All the activities that are being set
consist of time duration in which that has to be completed. With this respect, in case the time
determined if it is not be completed, then other activities will also get delayed and the total
period of time that is taken will get increased. There are different chapters that are included in
completion of research (Flick, 2015). In this context, by following the above given table,
investigator will be able to when all the activities are followed in accordance with time duration
that are planned, then it will be helpful to complete the research within 10 week time.
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REVIEW OF LITERATURE & RESEARCH
According to Pescosolido (2013) there are negative perception which are developed by
people from other parts of the world on the different type of diseases that are faced. Due to these
negative perception developed, the individuals who face any type of diseases with sigma, they do
not prefer to consult a professional. This is because the mentality that developed that they will be
discriminated by other people. It is a type of issue in which the type of diseases that are faced by
individuals gets serious and they are not able to overcome them. Further, there are different type
of diseases in relation with mental illness and these are considered to make people different from
others. Stigma can be determined to be a type of situation when individual views others in
negative way. This can be due to personal trait or characteristic. In respect with metal illness the
stigma that is developed is common. In this context, stigma leads to discrimination.
.
There are many negative impact that are faced by patients because of mental illness. With
this respect, it includes lack of understanding by friends, co workers, friends, etc. The type of
treatment that needs to be received is of high cost (He, Guo and Gao, 2016). People prefer to not
get in context with individuals who have illness related with mental disorders. There are different
type of considerations that can be made through which the rate of stigma that are faced by
patients can be reduced (Panneerselvam, 2014). In this context, one of the effective way is by
getting proper treatment. When the type of disease due to which stigma is caused can be
eliminated effectively and efficiently. There are diseases that does not have proper treatment and
in such condition the rate of problem that are faced by them is high. The self motivational factors
that they have is also lost and they are not able to over the issues related to health (Kong, 2015).
When the trust of the confidence that one has should not be lost and this can cause to shame and
the strength to face others is also lost.
Family and friends can be determined to be the most effective sources that are helpful to
fight the stigma and it also required for the patients to have the strength to fight over the negative
thoughts that patients have (Smith, 2015). This enables to overcome the type of illness that are
faced by patients in effective manner.
AREAS/ISSUES FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION
The current research is conducted for a particular area of study. There are different type
of areas that can be considered after a successful completion of the present research work. In this
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context, the topic is on the role and impact of stigma on the patient suffering from metal illness
and how it is further deteriorating their health (Maconachie and Hilson, 2015). There exists many
type of mental diseases that are specifically required to be focused to carry out this study or can
be further explored once after gaining a general significance of stigma in terms of its role and
impact. Furthermore, there are other physical diseases in which a similar state of stigma can be
identified and can be studied for further exploration of the recent investigation. Moreover,
different people have diverse set of preference and it changes as per the type of culture and
beliefs that they follow (Mellor and et.al., 2013, pp. 352-364). With this respect, the study can be
done considering different areas of the countries that will help in widening the scope of the
present carried study. Also, there is another set of aspect in which information can be gathered
from those nurses who have a direct interaction with patients dealing with a state of stigma
(Oxford, 2016). They will be able to provide adequate and definite information on the topic of
research and can be targeted as the participant respondents in the next conducted research work
for further exploration of the current undertaken study. The areas of study can be conducted for
different set of areas or the countries that can be considered.
.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Boyd, J. E., Adler, E. P., Otilingam, P. G. and Peters, T., 2014. Internalized Stigma of Mental
Illness (ISMI) scale: a multinational review. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 55(1). pp.221-
231.
Corrigan, P. W., Larson, J. E., Michaels, P .J., Buchholz, B. A., Del Rossi, R., Fontecchio, M. J.,
Castro, D., Gause, M., Krzyżanowski, R. and Rüsch, N., 2015. Diminishing the self-
stigma of mental illness by coming out proud. Psychiatry research. 229(1). pp.148-154.
Corrigan, P. W., Druss, B. G. and Perlick, D. A., 2014 The impact of mental illness stigma on
seeking and participating in mental health care. Psychological Science in the Public
Interest. 15(2), pp.37-70.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
He, W., Guo, S. and Gao, D. G., 2016. Physical pain induces negative person perception. Asian
Journal of Social Psychology. 19(3). pp.189-197.
Kong, D. T., 2015. Narcissists’ negative perception of their counterpart’s competence and
benevolence and their own reduced trust in a negotiation context. Personality and
Individual Differences. 74. pp.196-201
Lazer, D., Kennedy, R. and Vespignani, A., 2014. The parable of Google Flu: traps in big data
analysis. Science. 343(6176). pp.1203-1205.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M. (2015) Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Maconachie, R. and Hilson, G., 2015. Ebola and alluvial diamond mining in west africa: Initial
reflections and priority areas for research. The Extractive Industries and Society. 2(3).
pp.397-400
Mellor, D., Carne, L., Shen, Y.C., McCabe, M. and Wang, L., 2013. Stigma toward mental
illness: a cross-cultural comparison of Taiwanese, Chinese immigrants to Australia and
Anglo-Australians. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 44(3). pp.352-364.
Ott, R. L. and Longnecker, M. T., 2015. An introduction to statistical methods and data analysis.
Nelson Education.
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Oxford, R. L., 2016. Teaching and researching language learning strategies: Self-regulation in
context. Taylor & Francis.
Panneerselvam, R. (2014) Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Pescosolido, B. A., 2013. The public stigma of mental illness: What do we think; what do we
know; what can we prove?. Journal of Health and Social behavior. 54(1), pp.1-21.
Ratheesh, A., Berk, M. and McGorry, P. D., 2014. Ethical Consideration for Treating At-Risk
Populations. Bipolar Disorder in Youth: Presentation, Treatment, and Neurobiology.
pp.133
Sewilam and et.al., 2015. Suggested avenues to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the Middle
East. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 61(2), pp.111-120.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J. A. ed., 2015 Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Strang, K. D., 2015. Developing a goal-driven research strategy. In The Palgrave Handbook of
Research Design in Business and Management (pp. 31-45). Palgrave Macmillan US.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Wickham, H., 2016. ggplot2: elegant graphics for data analysis. Springer.
Wickham, H., 2016. ggplot2: elegant graphics for data analysis. Springer.
Zohrabi, M., 2013. Mixed method research: Instruments, validity, reliability and reporting
findings. Theory and Practice in Language Studies. 3(2). pp.254
Zunder, T. H., Aditjandra, P. T. and Carnaby, B., 2014. Developing a local research strategy for
city logistics on an academic campus. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 125.
pp.226-238.
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