| Title | Perceived stigma as a predictor of treatment discontinuation in young and older outpatients with depression. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2001 |
| Authors | Sirey JA, Bruce ML, Alexopoulos GS, Perlick DA, Raue P, Friedman SJ, Meyers BS |
| Journal | Am J Psychiatry |
| Volume | 158 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pagination | 479-81 |
| Date Published | 2001 Mar |
| ISSN | 0002-953X |
| Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Ambulatory Care, Confidence Intervals, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Odds Ratio, Patient Dropouts, Probability, Stereotyping |
| 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. |
| DOI | 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.3.479 |
| Alternate Journal | Am J Psychiatry |
| PubMed ID | 11229992 |
| Grant List | MH-53816 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States |