Validation of a brief implicit association test of stigma: schizophrenia and dangerousness

Abstract Background: Public perception of the link between schizophrenia and violence is exaggerated, and interventions are emerging that attempt to educate the public about the actual relationship between violence and schizophrenia. The effectiveness of programs targeting this dangerousness stereotype is unknown, however, as existing instruments do not capture a complete, unbiased picture of stigma.

To report on the properties of the Brief Implicit Association Test-Schizophrenia Danger (BIAT-SD), which we developed to capture the implicit perception that people with schizophrenia are dangerous.

We used a multi-trait, multi-method protocol to validate the BIAT-SD based on convergent and discriminant data from undergraduates (n = 97) at baseline and 4-weeks.

Preliminary evidence was found for construct validity, internal consistency, and 30-min retest stability.

Potential benefits and implications of the measure to improving the accuracy of stigma measurement are discussed.