The effects of a documentary film on stigmatisation regarding people diagnosed with schizophrenia

Stereotypes about schizophrenia may lead to stigmatisation and discrimination with debilitating effects
on people diagnosed with schizophrenia. There is thus a need to develop interventions aiming to prevent,
reduce or eliminate such stereotypes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects that a
documentary film on schizophrenia might have on cognitive, affective and behavioural aspects of
stigmatisation. Forty-nine participants were assessed on explicit measures of stereotypes and social
distance, and on the Stereotype Content Model (SCM; Fiske et al., 2002), which includes measures of
stereotypes, emotional reactions and behavioural tendencies. In addition, implicit affective attitudes were
measured using the Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP; Payne et al., 2005). Participants were randomly
assigned into either a Film (who viewed the documentary film) or Control group. Results showed a
significant decrease (albeit only in the Film group) of negative stereotypes (Dangerousness and
Unpredictability) and desired Social distance, and an increase in the perception of sociability in persons
diagnosed with schizophrenia. No effects were found regarding the implicit measure. These findings
suggest that a documentary film promoting indirect contact with people suffering from schizophrenia is a
promising tool to prevent and reduce negative stereotypes about schizophrenia.