Conceptions of Mental Illness: Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals and the General Public

Jennifer Stuber · Anita Rocha · Ann Marie Christian · Bruce G. Link

161 citations0/0 files storedPsychiatric Services

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Mental Health Treatment and Access Social and Intergroup Psychology Psychology and Mental Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The authors compared attitudes of the U.S. general public and of mental health professionals about the competence and perceived dangerousness of people with mental health problems and the desire for social distance from them. Factors related to negative attitudes and the desire for social distance also were examined. METHODS: Vignettes describing individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depression and schizophrenia were included in the 2006 General Social Survey (GSS) and a 2009 study of mental health professionals, and responses were descriptively compared (GSS, N=397 responses to depression vignette, N=373 responses to schizophrenia vignette; 731 mental health professionals responded to both vignettes). Regression analyses examined whether demographic and provider characteristics were associated with perceptions of less competence and perceived dangerousness of the vignette character and with respondents' desire for social distance. RESULTS: Compared with the American public, mental health professionals had significantly more positive attitudes toward people with mental health problems. However, some providers' conceptions about the dangerousness of people with schizophrenia and provider desire for social distance from clients in work and personal situations were concerning. Younger age, self-identifying as non-Hispanic white, being female, having at least a four-year college degree, being familiar with mental illness, and certain job titles and more years of experience in the mental health field were predictive of more positive conceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Although mental health professionals held more positive attitudes than the general public about people with mental health problems, strong stereotypes persisted in both groups, especially concerning schizophrenia. This study identified several demographic and provider characteristics that can inform intervention strategies in both groups.

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References

1954Nature of Prejudice 1989A Modified Labeling Theory Approach to Mental Disorders: An Empirical Assessment 2010Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis 1998Violence by People Discharged From Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Facilities and by Others in the Same Neighborhoods 2010“A Disease Like Any Other”? A Decade of Change in Public Reactions to Schizophrenia, Depression, and Alcohol Dependence 2009Global pattern of experienced and anticipated discrimination against people with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional survey 2005Public beliefs about and attitudes towards people with mental illness: a review of population studies 1999Mental Health Consumers' Experience of Stigma

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2019Knowledge, attitude and behaviors towards patients with mental illness: Results from a national Lebanese study 2014Healthcare providers’ attitudes toward persons with schizophrenia.2017Perceived provider stigma as a predictor of mental health service users' internalized stigma and disempowerment 2016Can a clinical placement influence stigma? An analysis of measures of social distance

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