Part-time hospitalisation and stigma experiences: a study in contemporary psychiatric hospitals.
BACKGROUND
Because numerous studies have revealed the negative consequences of stigmatisation, this study explores the determinants of stigma experiences. In particular, it examines whether or not part-time hospitalisation in contemporary psychiatric hospitals is associated with less stigma experiences than full-time hospitalisation.


METHODS
Survey data on 378 clients of 42 wards from 8 psychiatric hospitals are used to compare full-time clients, part-time clients and clients receiving part-time care as aftercare on three dimensions of stigma experiences, while controlling for symptoms, diagnosis and clients' background characteristics.


RESULTS
The results reveal that part-time clients without previous full-time hospitalisation report less social rejection than clients who receive full-time hospitalisation. In contrast, clients receiving part-time treatment as aftercare do not differ significantly from full-time clients concerning social rejection. No significant results for the other stigma dimensions were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Concerning social rejection, immediate part-time hospitalisation could be recommended as a means of destigmatisation for clients of contemporary psychiatric hospitals.
Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Korte Meer 5, 9000 Gent, Belgium. Mieke.Verhaeghe@Ugent.be
Mieke
M
Verhaeghe
Piet
P
Bracke
Wendy
W
Christiaens
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping