From source material to news story in New Zealand print media: a prospective study of the stigmatizing processes in depicting mental illness

Abstract

Although there were no inaccuracies in the content of the news stories they were substantially more negative than the source material in their depiction of the identified patient. A potentially positive discourse (human rights) was not by itself sufficient to ensure a positive portrayal of mental illness. An understanding of the transformations is important for efforts to effectively combat the stigmatization of those with mental illness.

The Picture of Mental Health/Illness in the Printed Media in Three Central European Countries

“…Psychosis seems to be the most stigmatized mental disorder, a result also found in several similar studies (e.g., Boke et al, 2007; Francis et. al., 2004; Nairn et al, 2001; Stuart, 2003). Building upon the results of recent study among German citizens, even improving mental health literacy about mental illnesses and in particular about schizophrenia does not necessarily lead to improvement of public attitudes toward people with mental illness (Angermeyer, Holzinger, & Matschinger, 2009).…”

La Enfermedad Mental en los Medios de Comunicación: Un Estudio Empírico en Prensa Escrita, Radio y Televisión

“…Our work leads to the conclusion that, even though the media rarely offer misinformation about mental disorders, as Nairn et al (2001) found in New Zealand, the emergence of stereotypes and negative treatment information generally perpetuate the transmission of social stigma. Specifically, 25% of the information analyzed in this work was stigmatizing.…”

“…La representación de la enfermedad mental en la prensa es predominantemente negativa (e.g, Coverdale et al, 2002;Nairn, Coverdale y Claasen, 2001;Walh et al, 2002), apareciendo ligada con frecuencia a sucesos violentos y delictivos (e.g., Angermeyer y Schulze, 2001;Coverdale et al, 2002;Gamo, 1992;Huang y Pruebe, 2003;Instituto Andaluz de Salud Mental, 1987). Generalmente se destacan los aspectos negativos, con una escasa presencia de informaciones sobre personas con trastorno mental que llevan una vida normalizada.…”

“…Además, la enfermedad mental suele aparecer citada de forma negativa y sin información adicional sobre síntomas, causas, procesos de rehabilitación y tratamientos (e.g., Angermeyer y Schulze, 2001;Gamo, 1992;Nairn et al, 2001). En este sentido, los hallazgos de Francis et al (2004) resultan más bien una excepción, al encontrar que los medios de comunicación australianos ofrecen información abundante y de buena calidad sobre los trastornos mentales.…”

“…The representation of mental illness in the press is predominantly negative (eg, Coverdale et al 2002;Nairn, Coverdale, and Claasen, 2001;Walha et al, 2002), appearing frequently linked to violent and criminal events (eg, Angermeyer and Schulze, 2001;Coverdale et al, 2002;Gamo, 1992, Huang andTest, 2003;Instituto Andaluz de Salud Mental, 1987). The negative aspects are usually highlighted, with a scarcity of information about people with mental disorder who have a normal life.…”