What predicts stigmatisation about schizophrenia? Results from a general population survey examining its underlying cognitive, affective and behavioural factors
Thonon, Bénédicte; Larøi, Frank
2017 • In Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches, 9 (2), p. 99-109
[en] Stigmatisation towards individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ individuals) remains an important problem, yet few studies to date have examined a theoretically comprehensive set of predictors of stigmatisation. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of stigmatisation towards SZ individuals in the Belgian general population in order to better understand its underlying factors. A sample of 544 participants completed online questionnaires assessing common stereotypes regarding schizophrenia, desired social distance, level of contact and the Behaviours from Intergroup Affect and Stereotypes map. Most respondents believed SZ individuals are unpredictable and have a poor prognosis. Around 10% believed that they are dangerous. The most frequently reported emotions were pity and fear. Around 65% of the sample indicated that they would have positive behavioural reactions (passive/active facilitation). Around 33% of the sample indicated that they would distance themselves from SZ individuals, and around 20% would flee if in contact with a SZ individual. Fear and stereotypes of dangerousness and incompetence best predicted these fleeing and avoidance reactions. Fear was also explained by stereotypes of dangerousness and unpredictability. These factors should be accounted for when developing anti-stigma campaigns. The effect of contact should be further investigated.
Disciplines :
Theoretical & cognitive psychology
Author, co-author :
Thonon, Bénédicte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie clinique cognitive et comportementale
Larøi, Frank; Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Language :
English
Title :
What predicts stigmatisation about schizophrenia? Results from a general population survey examining its underlying cognitive, affective and behavioural factors
Publication date :
2017
Journal title :
Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches
Angermeyer, M., & Matschinger, H., (2004). The stereotype of schizophrenia and its impact on discrimination against people with schizophrenia:Results from a representative survey in Germany. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30, 1049–1061.10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a007120
Angermeyer, M., Millier, A., Rémuzat, C., Refaï, T., & Toumi, M., (2013). Attitudes and beliefs of the French public about schizophrenia and major depression:Results from a vignette-based population survey. BMC Psychiatry, 13, 1–12.
Benov, E., Eljaala, S., Felice, E., Haller, E., Maguire, A., & Teixeira, C., (2013). Stigma of schizophrenia:Assessing attitudes among European university students. Journal of European Psychology Students, 4, 40–48.10.5334/jeps.bj
Brohan, E., Elgie, R., Sartorius, N., & Thornicroft, G., (2010). Self-stigma, empowerment and perceived discrimination among people with schizophrenia in 14 European countries:The GAMIAN-Europe study. Schizophrenia Research, 122, 232–238.10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.1065
Corrigan, P., Larson, J., Sells, M., Niessen, N., & Watson, A., (2007). Will Filmed presentations of education and contact diminish mental illness stigma? Community Mental Health Journal, 43, 171–181.10.1007/s10597-006-9061-8
Cuddy, A., Fiske, S., & Glick, P., (2007). The BIAS map:Behaviors from intergroup affect and stereotypes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 631–648.10.1037/0022-3514.92.4.631
Feldman, D., & Crandall, C., (2007). Dimensions of mental illness stigma:What about mental illness causes social rejection? Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26, 137–154.10.1521/jscp.2007.26.2.137
Fiske, S., (2012). Warmth and competence:Stereotype content issues for clinicians and researchers. Canadian Psychological Association, 53, 14–20.10.1037/a0026054
Fiske, S., Cuddy, A., Glick, P., & Xu, J., (2002). A model of (often mixed) stereotype content:Competence and warmth respectively follow from perceived status and competition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 878–902.10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.878
Link, B., Cullen, F., Frank, J., & Wozniak, J., (1987). The social rejection of former mental patients:Understanding why labels matter. American Journal of Sociology, 92, 1461–1500.10.1086/228672
Loch, A., Wang, Y.-P., Guarniero, F., Lawson, F., Hengartner, M., Rössler, W., & Gattaz, W., (2014). Patterns off stigma toward schizophrenia among the general population:A latent profile analysis. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 60, 595–605.10.1177/0020764013507248
Pescosolido, B., (2013). The public stigma of mental illness:What do we think; What do we know; What can we prove? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 54(1), 1–21.10.1177/0022146512471197
Pescosolido, B., Medina, T., Martin, J., & Scott Long, J., (2013). The “backbone” of stigma:Identifying the global core of public prejudice associated with mental illness. American Journal of Public Health, 103, 853–860.10.2105/AJPH.2012.301147
Reavly, N., Mackinnon, A., Morgan, A., & Forma, J., (2014). Stigmatising attitudes towards people with mental disorders:A comparison of Australian health professionals with the general community. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48, 433–441.10.1177/0004867413500351
Sadler, M., Meagor, E., & Kaye, K., (2012). Stereotypes of mental disorders differ in competence and warmth. Social Science & Medicine, 74, 915–922.10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.12.019
Sanders Thompson, V., Noel, J., & Campbell, J., (2004). Stigmatization, discrimination, and mental health:The impact of multiple identity status. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 74, 529–544.10.1037/0002-9432.74.4.529
Schomerus, G., Schwahn, C., Holzinger, A., Corrigan, P. W., Grabe, H. J., Carta, M. G., & Angermeyer, M. C., (2012). Evolution of public attitudes about mental illness:A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 125, 440–452.10.1111/acps.2012.125.issue-6
Schultze, B., Richter-Werling, M., Matschinger, H., & Angermeyer, M., (2003). Crazy? So what! Effects of a school project on students’ attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 107, 142–150.10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.02444.x
Švab, V., (2012). Stigma and mental disorders. In L., L’Abate (Ed.), Mental illnesses–Understanding, prediction and control (pp. 37–68). Rijeka:InTech Europe.
Thonon, B., Pletinx, A., Grandjean, A., Billieux, J., & Larøi, F., (2016). The effects of a documentary film about schizophrenia on cognitive, affective and behavioural aspects of stigmatisation. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 50, 196–200.10.1016/j.jbtep.2015.08.001
Tournois, J., Mesnil, F., & Kop, J., (2000). Autoduperie et hétéroduperie:un instrument de mesure de la désirabilité sociale [Self-deception and other-deception:A social desirability questionnaire]. European Review of Applied Psychology, 50, 219–233.
West, K., & Turner, R., (2014). Using extended contact to improve physiological responses and behavior toward people with schizophrenia. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 50, 57–64.10.1016/j.jesp.2013.06.009