Mapping the evolution of stigmatization in mental disorders: A bibliometric analysis from 1974 to 2024

BACKGROUND: This bibliometric study scrutinizes the thematic evolution of research on stigma and discrimination in mental disorders, covering a span of five decades. It reflects on the shifting paradigms within the stigma-focused mental health research community from 1974 to 2024. METHODS: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was employed using the Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer software, analyzing 1,892 articles from databases like Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed Central, and APA PsycInfo. Adherence to PRIBA guidelines ensured a holistic representation of the evolving research narrative. RESULTS: The analysis outlined three distinct periods: the Genesis Period (1974 - 2007), focusing on foundational concepts of mental disorders and stigma; the Growth Period (2008 - 2015), which experienced a broadening into themes of discrimination and diagnostic refinement; and the Rapid Growth Period (2016 - 2024), characterized by a surge in research on child mental disorders and the impacts of posttraumatic stress disorder. Network analyses highlighted significant journals, key authors, and international collaborations that have shaped this field. CONCLUSIONS: The study maps a significant transformation in stigma-focused mental health research themes over fifty years, highlighting the growing complexity and the need for ongoing research into stigma and discrimination. It calls for interdisciplinary approaches to tackle these enduring challenges effectively.