Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes
Published on: December 15, 2023
The stigma of mental illness in Germany: a trend analysis
Matthias C Angermeyer1, Herbert Matschinger
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Germany. krausem@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Background:
While there are some indications that the mental health literacy of the public has improved within recent years, the findings concerning its attitudes towards the mentally ill are quite inconsistent.
Aims:
The aim of this study is to examine whether any changes have taken place in Germany over the last decade regarding the stigmatisation of mentally ill people.
Method:
In 2001, a representative population survey was carried out among the German adult population, using the same sampling procedure and the same measure for the assessment of perceived stigma as in a previous survey that had been conducted in 1990.
Results:
Our findings suggest that in 2001, the German public was somewhat less inclined to believe that former mental patients are exposed to stigmatisation than a decade ago. While this holds especially true for the devaluation of patients, the picture is more mixed for discrimination. The trend towards less perceived stigmatisation is particularly pronounced among people who are familiar with psychiatric treatment.
Conclusions:
Since a substantial amount of perceived stigma still persists, further efforts to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness are needed.
Related Concept Videos
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
