Mental Illness in Disney Animated Films

Abstract

Objective:To examine the prevalence of verbalizations about mental illness in the animated feature films of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). We discuss the results within the context of children's repeated exposure to popular animated movies and their learning of labels and stereotypes associated with mental illness. We recommend further research on this topic. Method: We coded 34 animated feature films produced by TWDC for mental illness references (for example, "crazy" or "nuts"). We developed a coding manual to systematize the content analysis, to ensure accuracy of the data, and to ascertain intercoder reliability. Results: Most of the films (that is, 85%) contain verbal references to mental illness, with an average of 4.6 references per film. The references were mainly used to set apart and denigrate the characters to whom they referred. Twenty-one percent of the principal characters were referred to as mentally ill. We discuss the contributions and limitations of the study. Conclusions: The findings have implications for child viewers in terms of their potentially learning prejudicial attitudes and distancing behaviours toward individuals perceived as being mentally ill. To further verify this connection, an assessment of the incidence of Disney film exposure and attitudes toward people with a mental illness, using a sample of school-aged children, is needed.

On-Screen Portrayals of Mental Illness: Extent, Nature, and Impacts

“…For instance, Wahl (2003) found that of 49 children's films released in 2000-2001 and available for study, 12 (24%) contained a character with a mental illness. Likewise, Lawson and Fouts (2004) found that of 34 films produced by Disney between 1937 and 2001 and available on video, 85% contained verbal references to mental illness and 21% of the main characters were referred to as mentally ill.…”

Rikoksia, seksiä ja sekopäitä

“…esim. Domino 1983;Diefenbach 1997;Lawson & Fouts 2004). 2010-luvun medioituneissa yhteiskunnissa aihe on entistäkin ajankohtaisempi, mutta erityisesti kotimaisen tutkimuksen piirissä kiinnostus psyykkisen sairauden mediarepresentaatioita kohtaan on ollut toistaiseksi niukkaa.…”

Demonizing in Children’s Television Cartoons and Disney Animated Films

“…Multiple exposures to these films (especially in the context of parental involvement, approval, and enjoyment) likely increase their impact on children's attitudes and understanding of the world. Fourth, Disney films have many different heroes and villains and prosocial and anti-social behaviors [20][21][22][23][24]. Thus, the presence of prosocial and anti-social behaviors provides an excellent context for examining whether there is modeling of demonizing ''bad'' behaviors as evil, demonic, or monstrous.…”