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Stigma as related to mental disorders
Stephen P Hinshaw1, Andrea Stier
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. hinshaw@berkeley.edu
Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
|August 25, 2007
Summary
Mental illness stigma leads to reduced life chances and self-blame. Addressing this requires multilevel interventions targeting policy, media, professional practices, and public attitudes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mental illness stigma significantly impairs individuals' lives beyond disorder symptoms.
- Negative perceptions and devaluation are common responses to mental illness and deviant behavior.
- Internalization of these negative views leads to self-stigmatization among those with mental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms driving mental illness stigma.
- To examine key issues including stigma severity, dangerousness perceptions, and attributional factors.
- To review strategies for combating mental illness stigma.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary review of existing literature.
- Discussion of conceptual and practical issues related to stigma.
- Analysis of attributional accounts and developmental trends.
Main Results:
- Stigma encompasses less severe disorders and is linked to perceived dangerousness.
- Reconciling behavioral research with attitude studies is crucial.
- Attributional factors (personal control vs. biogenetic) influence stigma.
Conclusions:
- Mental illness stigma is a complex issue with deep-rooted mechanisms.
- Overcoming stigma requires comprehensive, multilevel interventions.
- Efforts include policy changes, media reform, professional training, and public engagement.
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