@article {Bahm:2009:0966-0410:63,
title = "Interlocking oppressions: the effect of a comorbid physical disability on perceived stigma and discrimination among mental health consumers in Canada",
journal = "Health & Social Care in the Community",
parent_itemid = "infobike://bsc/hscc",
publishercode ="bp",
year = "2009",
volume = "17",
number = "1",
publication date ="2009-01-01T00:00:00",
pages = "63-70",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "0966-0410",
eissn = "1365-2524",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/hscc/2009/00000017/00000001/art00008",
doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1365-2524.2008.00799.x",
keyword = "quality of life, stigma, comorbidity, physical disability, discrimination, mental health",
author = "Bahm, Allison and Forchuk, Cheryl",
abstract = "Abstract People living with mental health problems often face stigma and discrimination; however, there is a lack of research that examines how comorbid conditions affect this perceived stigma. This study sought to determine whether people who have a comorbid physical and psychiatric disability experience more stigma than those with only a psychiatric disability. It also looked at how perceived stigma and discrimination affect physical and mental health. A secondary analysis on data from interviews with 336 former and current clients of the mental health system in a mid-size Canadian city in 2005 was performed. Of these, 203 (60.4%) reported they had a psychiatric disability, 112 (33.0%) reported that they had a physical disability, with 74 reporting both a psychiatric and a physical disability. People with a self-reported psychiatric disability and a self-reported comorbid physical disability faced more overall perceived discrimination/stigma (P=0.04), than those with a psychiatric disability alone. Perceived discrimination/stigma was positively correlated with psychiatric problem severity (P=0.02), and negatively correlated with self-rated general health (PPPP<0.001). These results bring to light the aggravating effect of a physical disability on the perceived stigma for those living with a mental illness, and also strengthen the knowledge that stigma and discrimination have a negative impact on health. Healthcare providers should recognise this negative impact and screen for these comorbid conditions. Policy-makers should take measures such as improving access to housing and employment services to help reduce stigma and discrimination against this particularly vulnerable group.",
}