03/23/2021
By Sandra Mote

The Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Solomont School of Nursing, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Sandra L. Mote on “Factors That Predict Stigma Among Emergency Nurses and Physicians Caring for Patients With Behavioral Health Needs.”

Ph.D. Candidate Name: Sandra L. Mote
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Time: 2 to 5 p.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact Sandra_Mote@uml.edu and committee chair Margaret_Knight@uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Advisor: Margaret Knight, PhD, PMHCNS, Professor Emeritus, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Barbara Mawn, RN, PhD, Emeritus – Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Joseph E. Gonzales, PhD, Department of Psychology, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Problem: Emergency departments (EDs) have seen an overwhelming increase in the numbers of patients with mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) over the past decade. Some healthcare providers (HCPs), including ED nurses and physicians display negative attitudes towards these emergency patients. Patients with mental illness and SUD often view HCP stigmatizing attitudes and avoidance behaviors as discriminatory.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how factors, such as workplace violence (WPV), the work environment, experience, education, and personal contact influenced ED HCP stigma towards patients with mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD).

Results: From July 2019 to September 2019, 125 nurses and 45 physicians from EDs across the United States participated in the study. Lower job control significantly contributed to stigma for both mental illness and substance use. Stigma levels were higher for patients with SUD than for patients with mental illness. There was no association between WPV and negative attitudes towards patients with mental illness or SUD, and overall participants had low scores on mental illness and substance use stigma scales although they experienced WPV. There were no gender effects for stigma based on exposure to WPV or job strain. Years of experience and education were not predictors of stigma.

Conclusion: This study found that lower job control predicted higher stigma towards behavioral health patients. This is a significant predictor because ED nurses and physicians who perceive that they have little control over work place decisions are more likely to have stigmatizing attitudes towards patients with mental illness and SUD. Study results support that U.S. ED HCPs report low levels of stigma towards patients with mental illness and SUD even while reporting exposure to workplace aggression. Results confirm that personal contact with mental illness can reduce behavioral health stigma but there is no difference in SUD stigma as it relates to personal contact with family members, significant others or colleagues with SUD. Future research should further address the effects of personal contact with patients who use substances and stigma towards SUD.