Mental health stigma social exclusion and community reintegrationof psychiatric patient in southern Nigeria

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/07/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 2 (2026)

Article No.

004

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

Received

11 Jun 2026

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2

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0

Abstract

Mental illness stigma remains a major challenge to the recovery and social integration of psychiatric patients, particularly in developing societies where cultural misconceptions and discriminatory attitudes persist. This study examined mental illness stigma, social exclusion, and community reintegration of psychiatric patients in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design and was conducted across six states in Southern Nigeria, namely Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo States. A total of 420 respondents participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that stigmatizing attitudes toward psychiatric patients remain prevalent among a considerable proportion of respondents. Some respondents perceived psychiatric patients as dangerous, incompetent, and individuals to be feared. Evidence of social exclusion was also observed in areas such as employment, housing, and marital relationships. However, the study equally found encouraging levels of support for community reintegration, with many respondents expressing willingness to support marriage, employment retention, and leadership participation among recovered psychiatric patients. Furthermore, supernatural explanations of mental illness, particularly beliefs relating to demonic possession and curses, remained common among respondents. The study concluded that although positive attitudes toward reintegration are emerging, stigma and social exclusion continue to affect psychiatric patients in Southern Nigeria. The study recommends intensified mental health education, anti-stigma campaigns, community engagement initiatives, and stronger policies to protect psychiatric patients from discrimination and promote their successful reintegration into society.

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This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.