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Has the public taken notice of psychiatric reform? The image of psychiatric hospitals in Germany 1990–2011

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology volume 48, pages 1629–1635 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of mental health care reform in Germany, psychiatric hospitals have been transformed in terms of their infrastructure, staffing levels and therapeutic culture. The question arises as to what extent these improvements had an impact on the public image of these institutions.

Methods

In 1990 and 2011, population surveys were conducted in the “old” states of Germany, using the same sampling procedure, interview mode and measures.

Results

Over the last two decades, attitudes toward psychiatric hospitals have improved considerably. This improvement was particularly pronounced among those who had been in treatment for mental health problems. The public is now more inclined to regard psychiatric hospitals as similar to other hospitals, more ready to expect effective treatment in psychiatric hospitals, and less inclined to support the stereotype that psychiatric hospitals are primarily places where patients are locked away. However, there was a stronger tendency to agree with the notion that psychiatric hospitals are necessary to protect society from persons with mental illness.

Conclusions

The improvement of psychiatric care seems to pay off as regards the image of psychiatric hospitals among the general public. Further efforts are necessary to reduce the stigma attached to mentally ill people.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Fritz-Thyssen-Stiftung (Az. 10.11.2.175).

Conflict of interest

M.C. Angermeyer has received lecturer fees from AstraZeneca, Janssen-Cilag, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer. He also has received research grants from GlaxoSmithKline and Lundbeck. The other authors have nothing to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Public Mental Health, Untere Zeile 13, 3482, Gösing am Wagram, Austria

    Matthias C. Angermeyer

  2. Center for Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Matthias C. Angermeyer

  3. Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Herbert Matschinger

  4. Institute of Medical Sociology, Social Medicine and Health Economics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Herbert Matschinger

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany

    Georg Schomerus

  6. HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Stralsund, Germany

    Georg Schomerus

Authors
  1. Matthias C. Angermeyer
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  2. Herbert Matschinger
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  3. Georg Schomerus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthias C. Angermeyer.

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Angermeyer, M.C., Matschinger, H. & Schomerus, G. Has the public taken notice of psychiatric reform? The image of psychiatric hospitals in Germany 1990–2011. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 48, 1629–1635 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0670-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0670-6

Keywords

  • Attitudes
  • Psychiatric hospital
  • Population study
  • Trend analysis