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Kim, Jang, Kim, Shin, Ban, Choi, Chung, and Yoon: Comparison of Stigma according to the Term Used for Schizophrenia : Split-Mind Disorder vs. Attunement Disorder
Original Article
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2012; 51(4): 210-217.

Published online: 30 July 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.4.210

Comparison of Stigma according to the Term Used for Schizophrenia : Split-Mind Disorder vs. Attunement Disorder

Sung-Wan Kim, MD, PhD1, 2, Ji-Eun Jang, MD, MSc1, 2, Jae-Min Kim, MD, PhD1, Il-Seon Shin, MD, PhD1, Da Hye Ban2, Bongsil Choi, RN, PhD3, Soon-Ah Chung, RN, PhD4, Jin-Sang Yoon, MD, PhD1

1Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School and Depression Research Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.

2Gwangju Buk-gu Mental Health Center, Gwangju, Korea.

3Department of Nursing Science, Nambu University, Gwangju, Korea.

4Department of Nursing Science, Seoyeong University, Gwangju, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jin-Sang Yoon, MD, PhD. Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-757, Korea. Tel +82-62-220-6142, Fax +82-62-225-2351, jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr

Received 21 March 2012       Revised 3 May 2012       Accepted 8 May 2012

Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

In Korea, the term for schizophrenia has been changed from 'split-mind disorder' to 'attunement disorder'. This study compared the stigma of, and prejudice against, people with schizophrenia, according to use of the term 'split-mind disorder' or 'attunement disorder'.

Methods

We conducted a survey of 360 college students majoring in nursing science in order to assess their prejudice regarding the danger posed by schizophrenia and discrimination regarding relationships and privileges for patients with schizophrenia using the social stigma scale and the discrimination scale for patients with mental illness, respectively. Study subjects were randomly divided into two groups, and the same scales were assigned to each group using different instructions, beginning with either 'split-mind disorder' or 'attunement disorder'.

Results

In multivariate analysis, scores for prejudice with regard to the danger posed by, and discrimination against, patients with schizophrenia were significantly higher in the group assigned the term split-mind disorder, compared with the term attunement disorder. Scores for discrimination with regard to relationships and privileges were significantly lower for subjects with experience to contact the mentally ill, compared to those without such experience.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that renaming split-mind disorder as attunement disorder can result in reduced prejudice and discrimination against people with schizophrenia. In addition to renaming schizophrenia, implementation of anti-stigma campaigns, including contact with schizophrenia patients, may help to reduce discrimination against them.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Attunement disorder, Stigma, Prejudice, Renaming

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Agreement of stigma scale items according to the term used for schizophrenia. Dangerous individual : Patients with schizophrenia are dangerous individuals and are unpredictable, Against marriage : I would not agree if a member of my family wanted to marry an individual who suffered from schizophrenia, Driving restriction : patients with schizophrenia should not drive a car, Frightening word : I am fearful when I hear the word 'schizophrenia (split-mind disorder or attunement disorder)'. * : p<0.05, *** : p<0.001.
jkna-51-210-g001
Table 1
Comparison of socio-demographic characteristics according to the term used for schizophrenia
jkna-51-210-i001

* : By chi-square test or independent t-test, as appropriate. SD : Stndard diviation

Table 2
Comparison of the stigma scale scores according to the term used for schizophrenia and socio-demographic characteristics
jkna-51-210-i002

Values are expressed as mean (standard deviation). p-values using independent t-test or analysis of variance, as appropriate

Table 3
Multivariate analysis of the stigma scale scores
jkna-51-210-i003

Values are expressed as adjusted mean (standard error). p-values using analysis of covariance

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