Factors Affecting the Sense of Dignity in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders During Hospitalization in a Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran

This study aims to determine the factors affecting the sense of dignity in patients with psychiatric disorders during hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital in Tehran, Iran. 

This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were 253 adult patients with psychiatric disorders admitted to Iran Psychiatry Hospital, who were selected by a convenience sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess the patients’ sense of dignity. To analyze the collected data, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were used. 

There was a significant correlation between age and a sense of dignity (r=0.266, P<0.001). Patients with an educational level above a diploma had a lower sense of dignity than those with a diploma or lower (3.01 vs. 3.15, P=0.023). Patients who were aware of their own disease diagnosis had a lower sense of dignity than those who were not aware (3.06 vs. 3.17, P<0.001). The linear regression model showed the significant ability of age, knowledge of own disease diagnosis, and educational level to predict the sense of dignity. 

Psychiatric patients’ age, educational level, and knowledge of own disease diagnosis can predict their sense of dignity during hospitalization. Healthcare providers and policy makers should consider these factors during interventions to improve the sense of dignity in these patients