Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 1015-4817
eISSN 2289-0963
    J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 2012 Jul;51(4):210-217. Korean.
    Published online Jul 30, 2012.
    https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.4.210
    Copyright © 2012 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
    Original Article

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

    Sung-Wan Kim, MD, PhD,1,2 Ji-Eun Jang, MD, MSc,1,2 Jae-Min Kim, MD, PhD,1 Il-Seon Shin, MD, PhD,1 Da Hye Ban,2 Bongsil Choi, RN, PhD,3 Soon-Ah Chung, RN, PhD,4 and 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, Email: jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
    Received March 21, 2012; Revised May 03, 2012; Accepted May 08, 2012.

    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

    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.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Comparison of socio-demographic characteristics according to the term used for schizophrenia

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

    Table 3
    Multivariate analysis of the stigma scale scores

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    MeSH Terms
    Discrimination (Psychology)
    Humans
    Korea
    Mentally Ill Persons
    Multivariate Analysis
    Prejudice
    Schizophrenia
    Social Stigma
    Weights and Measures
    Metrics
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