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AuthorZolezzi, Monica
AuthorElshami, Sara
AuthorObaidi, Warda
Available date2023-08-10T05:20:33Z
Publication Date2020-12-29
Publication NamePsychology Research and Behavior Management
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S280360
CitationZolezzi, M., Elshami, S., & Obaidi, W. (2020). An exploratory analysis of the portrayal of mental illness in Qatar’s newspapers. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 1323-1332.
ISSN1179-1578
URIhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85098890653&origin=inward
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/46607
AbstractBackground: Concerns have been raised about the role of the media influencing the public’s understanding of mental illness. Aim: This study explored the extent and nature of mental health coverage in Qatar’s newspapers. A secondary aim was to compare the mental health-related coverage with that of diabetes. Methods: This was a retrospective quantitative and qualitative analysis of textual data published in Qatari newspapers. Quantitative descriptive analysis was employed to determine the extent of media coverage while qualitative content analysis was employed to examine the discourse tone and assess the stigmatization of the main messages on the text. Results: A total of 659 mental health-related articles were published; the main focus of the articles was on autism, depression, and non-pharmacological therapies for mental illness. Analysis of the retrieved articles revealed a predominantly informative content, with mostly non-stigmatizing tone except for non-national news that often linked mental illness with dangerousness or violence. A higher number of articles with mental health-related content than about diabetes were found. Conclusion: Although the newspaper content analysis revealed mostly a non-stigmatizing tone in mental health reporting in newspapers, there is a need to increase representation of people with mental illness in print media, increase awareness of the diversity of treatments available, and increase more scientific reporting to raise mental health literacy in Qatar.
SponsorThe study was funded by Undergraduate Student Grant from Qatar University (QUST -CPH-SPR\2017-1 1).
Languageen
PublisherDove Medical Press
SubjectMedia
Mental health
Newspapers
Portrayal
Stigma
TitleAn exploratory analysis of the portrayal of mental illness in Qatar’s newspapers
TypeArticle
Pagination1323-1332
Volume Number13
dc.accessType Open Access


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