title: The stigma of a psychiatric diagnosis: prevalence, implications and nursing interventions in clinical care settings.
abstract: The stigma associated with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders is a formidable barrier to the achievement of health and well-being for persons who carry such a diagnosis or who exhibit symptoms. Attitudes of nurses and treatment providers toward patients with comorbid psychiatric and substance abuse disorders can be influenced by stigma, which can have a negative impact on the therapeutic process and development of trust necessary to support good patient outcomes. Understanding the interrelated components of stigma, including labeling, stereotypes, and discrimination, can help nurses to reduce its impact in clinical care settings to improve the care experience for patients and nurses. Implementing interventions based on the core values of the nurse-patient relationship to enhance understanding, mutual trust, and acceptance of differences can contribute to improved communication and patient assessments in an effort to improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Carole_Farleytoombs@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farley-Toombs
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D015897:Comorbidity; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D013240:Stereotyping