Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses
Background Individuals with mental illness often experience stigmatization and encounter stereotypes such as being dangerous or unpredictable. To further improve measures against psychiatric stigma, it is of importance to understand its components. In this study, we attend to the step of separation...
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PeerJ Inc.
2016-09-01
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| _version_ | 1797419258812039168 |
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| author | Anna C. Makowski Eva E. Mnich Matthias C. Angermeyer Olaf von dem Knesebeck |
| author_facet | Anna C. Makowski Eva E. Mnich Matthias C. Angermeyer Olaf von dem Knesebeck |
| author_sort | Anna C. Makowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Individuals with mental illness often experience stigmatization and encounter stereotypes such as being dangerous or unpredictable. To further improve measures against psychiatric stigma, it is of importance to understand its components. In this study, we attend to the step of separation between “us” and “them” in the stigma process as conceptualized by Link and Phelan. In using the belief in continuity of mental illness symptoms as a proxy for separation, we explore its associations with stereotypes, emotional responses and desire for social distance in the stigma process. Methods Analyses are based on a representative survey in Germany. Vignettes with symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia (n = 1,338) or depression (n = 1,316) were presented to the respondents, followed by questions on continuum belief, stereotypes, emotional reactions and desire for social distance. To examine the relationship between these items, path models were computed. Results Respondents who endorsed the continuum belief tended to show greater prosocial reactions (schizophrenia: 0.07; p < 0.001, depression: 0.09; p < 0.001) and less desire for social distance (schizophrenia: −0.13; p < 0.001, depression: −0.14; p < 0.001) toward a person with mental illness. In both cases, agreement with the stereotypes of unpredictability and dangerousness was positively associated with feelings of anger and fear as well as desire for social distance. There were no statistically significant relations between stereotypes and continuum beliefs. Discussion Assumptions regarding continuum beliefs in the stigma process were only partially confirmed. However, there were associations of continuum beliefs with less stigmatizing attitudes toward persons affected by either schizophrenia or depression. Including information on continuity of symptoms, and thus oppose perceived separation, could prove helpful in future anti-stigma campaigns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:45:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ff63fecf9dae47339ad67b07fc342a82 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:45:53Z |
| publishDate | 2016-09-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-ff63fecf9dae47339ad67b07fc342a822023-12-03T10:37:58ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592016-09-014e236010.7717/peerj.2360Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analysesAnna C. Makowski0Eva E. Mnich1Matthias C. Angermeyer2Olaf von dem Knesebeck3Department of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyCenter for Public Mental Health, Gösing am Wagram, AustriaDepartment of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyBackground Individuals with mental illness often experience stigmatization and encounter stereotypes such as being dangerous or unpredictable. To further improve measures against psychiatric stigma, it is of importance to understand its components. In this study, we attend to the step of separation between “us” and “them” in the stigma process as conceptualized by Link and Phelan. In using the belief in continuity of mental illness symptoms as a proxy for separation, we explore its associations with stereotypes, emotional responses and desire for social distance in the stigma process. Methods Analyses are based on a representative survey in Germany. Vignettes with symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia (n = 1,338) or depression (n = 1,316) were presented to the respondents, followed by questions on continuum belief, stereotypes, emotional reactions and desire for social distance. To examine the relationship between these items, path models were computed. Results Respondents who endorsed the continuum belief tended to show greater prosocial reactions (schizophrenia: 0.07; p < 0.001, depression: 0.09; p < 0.001) and less desire for social distance (schizophrenia: −0.13; p < 0.001, depression: −0.14; p < 0.001) toward a person with mental illness. In both cases, agreement with the stereotypes of unpredictability and dangerousness was positively associated with feelings of anger and fear as well as desire for social distance. There were no statistically significant relations between stereotypes and continuum beliefs. Discussion Assumptions regarding continuum beliefs in the stigma process were only partially confirmed. However, there were associations of continuum beliefs with less stigmatizing attitudes toward persons affected by either schizophrenia or depression. Including information on continuity of symptoms, and thus oppose perceived separation, could prove helpful in future anti-stigma campaigns.https://peerj.com/articles/2360.pdfContinuum beliefPublic attitudesStigma processDepressionSchizophrenia |
| spellingShingle | Anna C. Makowski Eva E. Mnich Matthias C. Angermeyer Olaf von dem Knesebeck Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses PeerJ Continuum belief Public attitudes Stigma process Depression Schizophrenia |
| title | Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses |
| title_full | Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses |
| title_fullStr | Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses |
| title_short | Continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression: results of path analyses |
| title_sort | continuum beliefs in the stigma process regarding persons with schizophrenia and depression results of path analyses |
| topic | Continuum belief Public attitudes Stigma process Depression Schizophrenia |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/2360.pdf |
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