Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2008;11(2):107-117.

정신분열병의 명칭 변경에 대한 연구

Jong-Ik Park, MD, PhD1 and Young-Chul Chung, MD, PhD2

Abstract

Objectives:Stigma attached to persons with schizophrenia may be derived from its diagnostic label. One of indirect methods to reduce the stigma is use of less pejorative, more politically correct labels to describe persons with schizophrenia.
Methods:A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to investigate a point of view about the concept and meaning of term regarding schizophrenia among the patients (289), the family members (74), the ordinary people (147) and psychiatrists (150).
Results:Aside from missing data, 63.8% of patients responded knew their diagnosis accurately as schizophrenia. A correct answer to same question was revealed on 73.1% of family members with schizophrenic patients. In the consideration of a low percentage of schizophrenia illiteracy among two groups, communication with psychiatrists might be evasive. The proportion of favoring for renaming schizophrenia was 54.0%, 69.9%, 68.3% and 67.3%, respectively on the parts of patients, family members, ordinary people and psychiatrists. The patients approving for renaming showed significantly higher scores than against it in stigma scale. The alternatives to renaming schizophrenia were diverse in each group.
Conclusion:The movement for renaming schizophrenia has been approved in the majority of all the related groups in our study. Less pejorative and more appropriate term for reducing stigma against schizophrenic patients should be singled out based on consensus and adjustment of different views. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2008;11:107-117)

Key Words: Schizophrenia,Renaming,Stigma.