title: Long-term effect of a name change for schizophrenia on reducing stigma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A name change for schizophrenia was first implemented in Japan for reducing stigma in 2002; however, little is known of its long-term impact.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 259 students from 20 universities answered an anonymous self-administered questionnaire about their mental health-related experiences, and stigma scales including feasible knowledge and negative stereotypes for four specific diseases, including schizophrenia (old and new names), depression, and diabetes mellitus. We also asked to choose the old and new names of schizophrenia and dementia among ten names for mental and physical illnesses and conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants had more feasible knowledge and fewer negative stereotypes for the new name of schizophrenia than the old name, but were still significantly worse than for depression and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01). Direct contact experiences with those who have mental health problems were associated with feasible knowledge for schizophrenia but not negative stereotypes (β = 0.13, p = 0.020). The rate of correct responses for the old and new names of schizophrenia was significantly lower than that of dementia (41 vs. 87%, p < 0.001). Mental health-related experience from media was associated with the recognition of name change for schizophrenia (p = 0.008), which was associated with less feasible knowledge for new name of schizophrenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The name change of schizophrenia has reduced stigma since 12 years have passed. More effective campaigns, educational curricula, and policy making are needed to reduce stigma toward schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Division for Counseling and Support, Office for Mental Health Support, The University of Tokyo, Yasuda-Auditorium, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8654, Japan. skoike-tky@umin.ac.jp.|Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, 33 Bedford Place, London, WC1B 5JU, UK. skoike-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan.
authors.forename: Sosei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Health Education, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ojio
authors.affiliation: Division for Counseling and Support, Office for Mental Health Support, The University of Tokyo, Yasuda-Auditorium, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8654, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.affiliation: Division for Counseling and Support, Office for Mental Health Support, The University of Tokyo, Yasuda-Auditorium, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8654, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei-ichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagayaku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuntaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ando
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Name change; Schizophrenia; Stereotyping; Stigma; Terminology