Stigma toward people with mental disorders in adolescents: comparison between Portugal and Moldova

Abstract

Background: Mental disorders are one of the most significant public health challenges. Stigma toward people with mental disorders decreases help-seeking behaviors, and may be a cause of depression and anxiety. Research on the level of stigma and comparison between different countries in adolescence is scarce. We aim to study stigma toward people with mental disorders in adolescents, and to evaluate differences between Portugal and Moldova. Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, we evaluated 657 high school students from Portugal and 612 from Moldova. Data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire that, beyond stigma, evaluated individual and family characteristics. Stigma was evaluated using the Attribution Questionnaire for Children (AQ-8-C) and the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). Data were summarized using means and standard deviations, and comparison was performed using Student t test and analysis of variance. Results: The mean (standard deviation) level of mental disorder stigma measured by the AQ-8-C was 32.10 (8.77) in Moldova and 24.32 (9.20) in Portugal, P<.001. Adolescents from Moldova presented higher values for all items except for “Fear,” with higher mean value in Portugal and for “Help” with no significant differences between countries. Regarding the Depression Stigma Scale, adolescents from Moldova presented higher values, both for personal stigma [19.84 (4.78) vs 15.09 (5.08), P<.001] and for perceived stigma [26.43 (4.30) vs 22.62 (5.15), P<.001]. Stigma levels did not differ according to having or not someone with a mental disorder in the class or family. Conclusion: The level of stigma toward people with mental disorders is higher in Moldova than in Portugal.