Perceived Stigma As a Predictor of Treatment Discontinuation in Young and Older Outpatients with Depression

Overview

Journal Am J Psychiatry

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2001 Mar 7

PMID 11229992

Citations 190

Authors

J A Sirey

M L Bruce

G S Alexopoulos

D A Perlick

P Raue

S J Friedman

B S Meyers

Affiliations

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Abstract

Objective: The authors' goal was to examine the extent to which perceived stigma affected treatment discontinuation in young and older adults with major depression.

Method: A two-stage sampling design identified 92 new admissions of outpatients with major depression. Perceived stigma was assessed at admission. Discontinuation of treatment was recorded at 3-month follow-up.

Results: Although younger patients reported perceiving more stigma than older patients, stigma predicted treatment discontinuation only among the older patients.

Conclusions: Patients' perceptions of stigma at the start of treatment influence their subsequent treatment behavior. Stigma is an appropriate target for intervention aimed at improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

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