The Influence of Stigma on Mental Illness in Developing and the Developed Countries

THE INFLUENCE OF STIGMA ON MENTAL ILLNESS IN DEVELOPING AND THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Amina Mesic
Westminster College

Dr. Fein, Lisa

SCA 3OO A

December 11, 2014

Abstract

        This research paper aims to analyze and discuss the influences and the outcome of stigma on mental illness in developing verses the developed countries. It will compare and contrast the perceptions and understandings of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, in Western and non-Western countries/cultures/societies in order to explain the better course and the better outcome of stigma on mental illness in developing countries. It will explore, examine, and explain the factors influencing the increase, as well as the lowering of stigma in Individualistic and Collectivist societies. Furthermore, it will answer the question why and how should the developed countries learn in creating an effective procedures and systems of fighting against, and preventing the stigma of mental illness.

Keywords: Social Stigma, Mental Illness, Individualism, Collectivism, Developing countries.

“We are the sum of all people we have ever met; you change the tribe, and the tribe changes you.” – Dirk Witter

In almost every society certain individuals or groups of people are stigmatized only because they differ from the majority. Not only the west and the western societies are stigmatizing and being stigmatized, but it is rather the universal thing (Guimon et al., 1999). The type of the stigma present within the society greatly depends on the culture and on what is perceived as different in particular cultural environment. According to Hallowell, the behavioral environment that the mentally ill person inhabits is largely constituted by culture, meaning that the culture shapes the way individuals conceive the environment they live in, as well as the way they see and live their life in general (Hallowell, 1971). Unfortunately, we are often afraid of everything that is different than us and our fear of different leads to a creation of negative feelings, discrimination, and division. This is almost without exception followed by development of different stigmas that stay in societies for a long period of time and affect people’s lives to a great extent. Stigmas can arose anytime and as a result of any perception of ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, level of education or religion. One of the very common but also often neglected one is the stigma created as a result of the perception of mental illness. All around the world there are societies that put labels on the people who are mentally ill and who in such way change the course of their health improvement. However, since the world differs culturally and hence in understanding and perceiving certain occurrences, there are also societies that have different treatment and approach to those suffering from mental illnesses. This research paper will analyze and discuss, and compare and contrast the perceptions and understandings of mental illness in Western and non-Western countries in order to explain the better course and the better outcome of stigma on mental illness in developing countries.

The evident difference between the perceptions of the same “different” group of people can be seen through the observation of the perception and the stigma present in western/individualistic societies in contrast to the developing, collectivistic societies. According to Francia Kappeler: “It was evident that different cultures not only view and respond to mental illness in distinctive ways, but the cultures themselves are greatly responsible for the manifestation of new disorders and to what extent treatment is effective” (Kappeler, 2003, p.4). The stigma present in these societies changes the course and the outcomes of the mental illnesses and the research showed that the stigma of mental illnesses in developing countries is less likely to produce the negative outcomes and slow down the process of healing while the opposite is true for the developed countries.

Individualistic societies are characterize by being oriented around the individual rather than a community. Kappeler points out how: “Western societies are individualistic by nature emphasizing nuclear family structure, competition, pride, and autonomy” (Kappeler, 2003, p.5). The individual goals, values, and accomplishments are more important than those of a community as a whole.  In such societies, the expectations are way higher; one is expected to develop all the skills that would make him/her independent. Individuals rarely rely on family’s or community’s help since they would be considered weak, not capable of being responsible and capable of being independent. Families and communities, living in the same socially created environment, do not necessarily offer help and usually expect the individuals to cope with the reality of life on their own. Hence, people with the mental illnesses are usually left on their own by being institutionalized, and families often give up on them since they produce family tension and may even be considered as an embarrassment or danger. As Kappeler claims in her research, due to excessive pressure on the emphasis on individualism in western countries, individualistic societies are more exposed to mental disorders in comparison to non-western countries that are mostly emphasizing collectivism (Kappeler, 2003). The pressure of being good enough to take care of yourself, to deal with the pressure of stigma on your own, and to be completely independent while suffering from mental illness may be even the cause of the mental illnesses, but this same pressure continues even after the illness is developed by isolating these individuals and placing them in the hospitals and mental institutions and by leaving them yet again to cope with the problem on their own. Being mentally ill is wrong and is an obstacle in the individualistic perspective. It is a barrier and it makes one less advantaged in the mission of becoming fully independent and functional in such a society.

Collectivistic societies unlike individualistic put an emphasis on “we”, on a community as a whole and prioritize the values, goals and achievements of the community over the individual. As Kappeler points out in her research: “Unlike the Western view that behavior is a reflection of personal traits and abilities, the collectivist orientation views the individual in relation to social roles, obligations, and situational restrictions” (Kappeler, 2003, p. 7). Social inclusion within collectivistic societies is greater and a sense of belonging to a group is present. Since one is usually not isolated from the family and hence the relationships within families are stronger and better developed, one stays a part of the family and preserves a role in the societies regardless of the circumstances. Mentally ill individuals are usually accepted by their families and communities where the most effort is put in hope to help them. The emotional support is offered and mentally ill individuals are rarely labeled so strongly as in the individualistic societies. Individuals are under less pressure, financially and emotionally assisted, the expectations are not as high and the failure is often justified by the family.