Psychiatrists’occupational stigma conceptualization,measurement,and intervention:A literature review

Psychiatrists require frequent contact with and treatment of patients with mental illnesses.Due to the influence of associative stigma,psychiatrists may also be targets of stigma.Occupational stigma warrants special consideration because it significantly affects psychiatrists'career advancement,well-being,and their patients’health.Given that there is no complete summary of this issue,this study reviewed the existing literature on psychiatrists'occupational stigma to clearly synthesize its concepts,measurement tools,and intervention strategies.Herein,we emphasize that psychiatrists’occupational stigma is a multifaceted concept that simultaneously encompasses physically,socially,and morally tainted aspects.Currently,standardized methods to specifically measure psychiatrists’occupational stigma are lacking.Interventions for psychiatrists’occupational stigma may consider the use of protest,contact,education,comprehensive and systematic methods,as well as the use of psychotherapeutic approaches.This review provides a theoretical basis for the development of relevant measurement tools and intervention practices.Overall,this review seeks to raise public awareness of psychiatrists'occupational stigma,thereby promoting psychiatric professionalism and reducing its stigma.

Autism spectrum disorders: The collaborative roles of the psychiatrists, educators and parents

Autism is a complex disability that requires collaboration, consultation and communication for provision of optimum treatment and intervention. Both psychiatrists and educators are key to the well-being of children and their families and can work together successfully in a comprehensive framework. This article provides information and recommendations in order to bridge both disciplinary fields so that this framework can be established.

Relationship between Social Support and Self-efficacy in Women Psychiatrists

Objective： To explore the relationship between social support and self-efficacy in women psychiatrists. Methods： A survey was conducted in four hospitals in Shandong province using the Social Support Scale and the General Self-efficacy Scale （GSE）. A total of 140 women psychiatrists participated in the study. Results： Women psychiatrists of different ages or with different qualifications experience significant differences in objective support, subjective support, the utilization of support, and total scores on the social support and self-efficacy questionnaires （P〈0.05）. There were also significant differences in self-efficacy between different groups （P〈0.05）. Subjective support, objective support and the utilization of support have a positive correlation with the self-efficacy of women psychiatrists. Women psychiatrists in different education level have significant differences in objective support, utilization of support and total score of social support （P〈0.01）. Conclusions： Ages and educational backgrounds affect social support and self-efficacy, and self-efficacy had a significant positive correlation with the various dimensions of social support.

Preliminary study of associative stigma among trainee psychiatrists in Flanders, Belgium

AIM: To study the degree of stigmatization among trainee psychiatrists, individual characteristics potentially leading to higher associative stigma, and coping mechanisms.METHODS: Two hundred and seven trainee psychiatrists in Flanders(Belgium), all member of the Flemish Association of Trainee Psychiatrists, were approached to participate in the survey. A non-demanding questionnaire that was specifically designed for the purpose of the study was sent by mail. The questionnaire consisted of three parts, each emphasizing a different aspect of associative stigma: devaluing and humiliating interactions, the focus on stigma during medical train-ing, and identification with negative stereotypes in the media. Answers were scored on a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 3. The results were analyzed using SPSS Version 18.0. RESULTS: The response rate of the study was 75.1%. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was good, with a Cronbach's α of 0.71. Seventy-five percent of all trainee psychiatrists confirmed hearing denigrating or humiliating remarks about the psychiatric profession more than once. Additionally, more than half of them had had remarks about the incompetence of psychiatrists directed at them. Only 1.3% remembered having stigma as a topic during their psychiatric training. Trainees who had been in training for a longer period of time had experienced a significantly higher level of stigmatization than trainees with fewer years of experience(mean total stigma scores of 16.93 ± SD 7.8 vs 14.45 ± SD 6.1, t =-2.179 and P < 0.05). In addition, senior trainees effectively kept quiet about their profession significantly more often than their junior colleagues(mean item score 0.44 ± SD 0.82 vs 0.13 ± SD 0.48, t = 2.874, P < 0.01). Comparable results were found in trainees working in adult psychiatry as were found in those working in child or youth psychiatry(mean item score 0.38 ± SD 0.77 vs 0.15 ± SD 0.53, t =-2.153, P < 0.05). Biologically oriented trainees were more inclined to give preventive explanations about their profession, which can be seen as a coping mechanism used to deal with this stigma(mean item score 2.05 ± SD 1.05 vs 1.34 ± SD 1.1, t =-3.403, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Associative stigma in trainee psychiatrists is underestimated. More attention should be paid to this potentially harmful phenomenon in training.

Assessment of Psychiatrists and Nurses’ Attitudes toward Suicide Behaviour

Background: Psychiatrists and nurses are anticipated to prevent suicide behaviour, but their limited experience and lack of knowledge of patients with suicidal attempts have influenced their perception. A significant association between health care providers’ attitudes and the course of suicidal behaviour treatment. Purpose: current scientific paper aimed to assess Psychiatrists’ and nurses’ attitudes towards suicide and suicide attempters in Saudi Arabia. Method: Cross-sectional investigation was conducted in a Psychiatric hospital in North Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of psychiatrists and nurses (N = 132). The response rate was 88%. The Modified Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was employed to evaluate psychiatrists’ and nurses’ attitudes toward suicide. Results: attitudes toward suicide behaviour among psychiatrists and nurses were positive. The findings of these studies demonstrate that psychiatrists and nurses held positive attitudes toward suicide in the categories of professional role, beliefs, communication and seeking attention. Also, the evidence revealed in the current paper demonstrates that psychiatrists expressed more positive attitudes toward suicidal behaviour than nursing staff. Moreover, psychiatrists and nurses who have a higher level of education recorded higher scores on the positive attitudes scale towards suicidal behaviour. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference between respondents’ attitudes toward suicide behaviour and their years of experience. Finally, psychiatrists and nurses who have a personal history of suicide behaviour have more positive attitudes toward suicide ideation. Conclusion/Implication for Future Practice: Psychiatrists and nurses had favourable attitudes towards suicide attempters. Health care organizations need to provide support to professionals by exposing them to suicide prevention programs and it was expected to improve and enhance the attitudes toward suicidal behaviour. In addition, psychiatrists and nurses, when they are aware of their opinions and attitudes toward suicide behaviour, can help their patients through the expression of their own thoughts and fears, which can lead to increased communication and trust.

Being a Father of a Premature Newborn: The Parental Experience and the Father/Premature Newborn Relationship: A Study Carried out in the Department of Neonatology Intensive Care Unit of Mohammed VI University Hospital

Introduction: Despite advances in obstetrics and pediatrics over the past 20 years, premature birth remains an unpredictable event that can have a devastating impact on parenthood. This study aimed to analyze the psycho-affective experiences of fathers of premature newborns. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out in the department of neonatology and neonatal intensive care unit of the CHU Mohamed VI in OUJDA, over 6 months from March 2022 to August 2022. It focused on 30 fathers of premature newborns hospitalized in our department. Results: The majority of fathers described a state of fear and stress, and attributed their negative experience to the unexpected nature of the premature birth. At the first meeting, half the fathers had a positive image of their newborn’s physical appearance, while 22% of fathers reported feeling uncomfortable about their newborn’s low weight. Most fathers reported that they appreciated the welcome they received, the skill with which they cared for their newborn, and the availability of the pediatrician to provide information on their child’s state of health. Two fathers enjoyed skin-to-skin contact with their newborns. None of the fathers met a psychologist. When they returned home, half the fathers had a positive outlook, marked by happiness at being able to fully invest in their role as fathers, the other half reported being torn between the desire to see their child integrated into the family cocoon and the fear of not being able to manage delicate situations properly without a medical team. Conclusion: Bringing a premature baby into the world can be a difficult experience, leading to the development of even minor psychological distress in some fathers, and hence the need for specific psychological care.

Psychotropic Drug Prescribing Trends in Bahrain: Implications for Sexual Functions

Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction is a frequent adverse effect of many psychotropic drugs. We have analyzed the prescribing trends and the likelihood of psychotropic-associated sexual dysfunction in outpatients with depression or other psychotic disorders treated by psychiatrists. A retrospective prescription audit was conducted at the Psychiatric Hospital, the only psychiatric facility in Bahrain that offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Psychotropic associated sexual dysfunction was graded as negligible (0), moderate (2+), moderately severe (3+) and uncertain (U) for antidepressants, and for antipsychotics as no effect (0), very low (1+), moderate (2+), moderately severe (3+) and uncertain (U) effect. As antidepressant monotherapy, a significant trend towards prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs;3+) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs;3+) in females, and tricyclic antide-pressants (TCAs;2+) in males was apparent. Atypical antidepressant mirtazapine (0) monotherapy was rarely prescribed. Mirtazapine with SSRIs or SNRI was the most often prescribed combinations followed by TCAs with other antidepressants. Risperidone (0 to 3+), an atypical antipsychotic, was the most popular antipsychotic prescribed to augment antidepressants;there was no gender-based difference. Clozapine (0) and olanzapine (1+) were rarely prescribed to augment antidepressant therapy. In Bahrain, the psychotropic prescribing trends suggest that there is a need to optimize drug therapy to achieve the therapeutic goal with minimal adverse impact on sexual function.

Psychiatry Trainees’ Attitudes towards Psychotherapy

Background: Psychotherapy education is one of the essential components of specialist training in psychiatry according to the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. How psychiatry trainees perceive psychotherapy has major implications for how trainees will learn about psychotherapy during training, how they will utilize it in their future practice, and how they will integrate it into their professional identity. Methods: The study involved the distribution of questionnaires to psychiatry residents at an Atlantic Canadian Medical School. The survey consisted of Likert-scaled items which assessed residents’ attitudes towards being a psychotherapist and their future study and practice plans in psychotherapy. Results: Surveys were completed by 18 out of 25 residents (72% response rate). Half of participants indicated that conducting psychotherapy was highly rewarding and the majority of residents planned to incorporate psychotherapy into their future practice. Several mean differences were also noted between those residents who completed their undergraduate medical education in Canada versus at International locations. Conclusion: Despite the recent changes in psychotherapy training requirements and concerns about psychotherapy’s role in psychiatry, many residents perceive psychotherapy skills as being important for competent psychiatry practice and plan to incorporate their psychotherapy training into their future practice. Additional implications for teaching, future research, and practice are discussed.