title: Factors associated with experienced discrimination among people using mental health services in England.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research has found considerable variation in how far individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness experience discrimination.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study tested four hypotheses: (i) a diagnosis of schizophrenia will be associated with more discrimination than depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder; (ii) people with a history of involuntary treatment will report more discrimination than people without; (iii) higher levels of avoidance behaviour due to anticipated discrimination will be associated with higher levels of discrimination and (iv) longer time in contact with services will be associated with higher levels of discrimination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three thousand five hundred and seventy-nine people using mental health services in England took part in structured telephone interviews about discrimination experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A multiple regression model found that study year, age, employment status, length of time in mental health services, disagreeing with the diagnosis, anticipating discrimination in personal relationships and feeling the need to conceal a diagnosis from others were significantly associated with higher levels of experienced discrimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that discrimination is not related to specific diagnoses but rather is associated with mental health problems generally. An association between unemployment and discrimination may indicate that employment protects against experiences of discrimination, supporting efforts to improve access to employment among people with a diagnosis of mental illness.
authors: a The McPin Foundation , London , UK and.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hamilton
authors: b Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , London , UK.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Corker
authors: a The McPin Foundation , London , UK and.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Weeks
authors: b Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , London , UK.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Williams
authors: b Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , London , UK.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Henderson
authors: a The McPin Foundation , London , UK and.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Pinfold
authors: b Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , London , UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Rose
authors: b Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , London , UK.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Thornicroft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
keywords: Mental illness; diagnosis; discrimination; employment