Stigmatization of individuals with mental illnesses is widespread and serves as a major barrier to treatment. In a survey of 116 undergraduates, the authors examined the impact of diagnosis, attitudes about treatment, and psychiatric terminology on stigma associated with mental illness. Stigmatization of schizophrenia was significantly higher than stigmatization of depression. More positive attitudes toward treatment were associated with significantly less stigma. However, psychiatric terminology had no impact on attitudes toward mental illness. Significantly less stigmatization of mental illness was found among females than among males. Reducing the stigmatization of mental illness continues to be an important goal for mental health professionals.

Together, these studies suggest that traditional methods of teaching psychopathology do not lessen mental illness stigma, a serious concern that can potentially be reconciled by incorporating more person-centered instructional methods. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the way psychopathology is taught throughout the mental health field, as well as the practical application of stigma interventions woven into the curriculum.

The most effective way to reduce mental illness stigma is through contact (Corrigan et al., 2012); however, such programs are difficult to implement. Researchers have turned to indirect contact with some success (Mann & Himelein, 2008), yet the exact mechanism behind narrative-based programs remains unknown. The present study seeks to isolate one possible mechanism—perspective-taking. Perspective-taking enjoys wide support in prejudice research (Batson, Early et al., 1997) but is relatively untested with mental illness stigma. One hundred eighty-one college students heard a narrative of a student with bipolar (I) disorder or HIV and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (perspective-taking, objective-stance, or “no-instruction”). Participants then completed outcome measures tapping stigma toward the individual and group (social distance, global affect, discrimination). Participants reported greater social distance toward the person with bipolar versus HIV, but discrimination and global affect scores did not differ by stigma target. The perspective-taking intervention was successful in reducing stigma across multiple variables for both bipolar and HIV conditions. The intervention failed to change global affect toward persons with mental illness but did improve feelings toward those with HIV. Results are discussed in the broader context of the power of stories, and the differences between reducing mental illness stigma versus other prejudices.

No abstract