Stigma and quality of life as experienced by people with mental illness.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which people with mental illness in a New Zealand setting encounter stigma and discrimination and to examine their satisfaction with quality of life.

METHOD: Patients under the care of a range of community mental health services were invited to participate in a survey. Fifty-three females and 47 males completed questionnaires concerning stigma, discrimination and quality of life. Demographic and diagnostic characteristics were also recorded.

RESULTS: The majority of participants reported experiencing stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts. In association with this, they had experienced dissatisfaction with their quality of life in a number of areas.

CONCLUSIONS: The experience of stigma and dissatisfaction with quality of life among people with mental illness is common. This has implications for clinical assessment and management.