Schomerus, G., Evans-Lacko, S. 
ORCID: 0000-0003-4691-2630, Rüsch, N., Mojtabai, R., Angermeyer, M. C. and Thornicroft, G.
(2015)
Collective levels of stigma and national suicide rates in 25 European countries.
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 24 (02).
pp. 166-171.
ISSN 2045-7960
Abstract
AIMS: There is substantial diversity in national suicide rates, which has mainly been related to socio-economic factors, as well as cultural factors. Stigma is a cultural phenomenon, determining the level of social acceptance or rejection of persons with mental illness in a society. In this study, we explore whether national suicide rates are related to the degree of mental illness stigma in that country. METHODS: We combine the data on country-level social acceptance (Eurobarometer) with the data on suicide rates and socio-economic indicators (Eurostat) for 25 European countries. RESULTS: In a linear regression model controlling for socio-economic indicators, the social acceptance of someone with a significant mental health problem in 2010 was negatively correlated with age standardised national suicide rates in the same year (β -0.46, p = 0.014). This association also held true when combining national suicide rates with death rates due to events of undetermined intent. CONCLUSIONS: Stigma towards persons with mental health problems may contribute to differences in suicide rates in a country. We hypothesise possible mechanisms explaining this link, including stigma as a stressor and social isolation as a consequence of stigma.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://jnls.cup.org/journal.do?jid=EPS |
| Additional Information: | © 2014 Cambridge University Press |
| Divisions: | Personal Social Services Research Unit |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2015 13:32 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Apr 2024 08:23 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/62973 |
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