Approval of Coercion in Psychiatry in Public Perception and the Role of Stigmatization

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.819573
• Publication Date: 2022-01-07T08:52:30Z
• Authors: Sahar Steiger; Julian Moeller; Julia F. Sowislo; Roselind Lieb; Undine E. Lang; Christian G. Huber
• Keywords: Coercion (linguistics); Vignette; Stigma

Background: Coercion is routinely used in psychiatry. Its benefits and drawbacks are controversially debated. In addition, the majority of persons with mental health problems exposed to stigmatization assumed be dangerous. Stigmatization associated negative consequences for individuals illness such as disapproval, social rejection, exclusion, discrimination. Being subjected coercive measures can increase affected persons, might lead higher approval coercion. Aims Study: This study aims examine psychiatry by general public, explore its relation person- situation-specific factors well stigmatization. Method: We conducted a representative survey population (N = 2,207) canton Basel-Stadt, Switzerland. Participants were asked read vignette depicting psychopathological symptoms fictitious character indicate whether they would accept person vignette. Desire distance perceived dangerousness assessed Findings: The case exhibiting dangerous behavior, showing psychotic disorder, being dangerous, treatment understood helpful increased coercion general, while familiarity respondents decreased approval. Conclusions: public attitude regarding highly differentiated largely follows current legal framework medical guidelines. Higher occurred situations self-harm or harm others when thought have beneficial effect persons. A considerable part predicted With increasing severity measures, influence generalizing stigmatizing attitudes became stronger predictors more severe measures.