Determinants of the public's preference for social distance from people with schizophrenia

To examine the extent to which the public's desire for social distance from people with schizophrenia is influenced by beliefs about the disorder and stereotypes about those suffering from it.

In spring 2001, we carried out a representative survey of individuals of German nationality aged 18 years and over (n = 5025). Each subject was given a fully structured interview that began with the presentation of a vignette.

Both labelling and beliefs about the disorder's causes and prognosis, as well as the perception that those suffering from it are unpredictable and dangerous, had an impact on the public's desire for social distance. However, the latter proved to be more important. As expected, respondents who identified the disorder depicted in the vignette as mental illness, those who blamed the individual for its development, and those who anticipated a poor prognosis expressed a stronger desire for social distance. Endorsing biological factors as a cause was also associated with increased social distance.

Our findings have important implications for interventions aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination related to schizophrenia. Targeting the stereotype of unpredictability and dangerousness appears to be particularly important.