Effects Of Renaming Schizophrenia from "Jungshinbunyeolbyung (Split-Mind Disorder)" to "Johyeonbyung (Attunement Disorder)" in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: Korean Neuropsychiatric Association changed Korean name of schizophrenia from “Jungshinbunyeolbyung” to “Johyeonbyung” in 2011, to diminish social stigma, and to promote early detection and treatment of schizophrenia. Aims of the present study are to examine effects and attitudes toward the new name, “Johyeonbyung".

Material and Methods: This study assessed the attitudes towards renaming of schizophrenia among psychiatrists, psychologist, psychiatric nurses, the patients with schizophrenia and their family members, and the general public using three versions of survey (N = 979). Questionnaire consists of the awareness of renaming, the psychiatrists' informing of the diagnosis, the attitudes toward the principle of renaming including scientific validity, social and medical usefulness. ANOVA and Chi‐square were used for statistical analyses.

Results: Ninety nine percent of the mental health workers56.3% of patients and their families, and 20% of the general public are aware of renaming. The proportions of mental health workers' informing diagnosis depending on before and after renaming were 78.7% and 79.0% respectively. In patients and their families group58.7% answered that they heard their diagnosis Jungshinbunyeolbyung from psychiatrists before renaming and 42.2% answered that they heard their diagnosis Johyeonbyung after renaming. Sixty three percent of them answered that the renaming will help patients to access medical treatment easily.

Conclusion: Awareness of new Korean name for schizophrenia, Johyeonbyung is increased in mental health professionals but not in patients and their families and the general public. Effects such as informing patients of diagnosis are not enough. More active campaigns regarding new name of schizophrenia are needed.