Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025
07:15
Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
1.6K
Stigma toward internalizing and externalizing disorders: How do adolescents perceive their peers? A network analysis
Stefania Mannarini1,2, Federica Taccini2,3, Alessandro Alberto Rossi1,2
1Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Summary
Adolescent stigma differs for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with dangerousness a key factor in both. Understanding these perceptions is crucial for mental health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Mental Health
Background:
- Stigma surrounding mental health disorders significantly impacts adolescent well-being and treatment seeking.
- Internalizing disorders like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and externalizing disorders like Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) present unique challenges in perception and societal attitudes.
- Facets of stigma, including attributions and social distance, require nuanced investigation in adolescent populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential facets of stigma between adolescent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- To compare the network structures and relationships among stigma components for MDD and ADHD in adolescents.
- To identify key drivers of stigma associated with internalizing versus externalizing disorders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two vignettes depicting peers with MDD or ADHD presented to 616 Italian adolescents.
- Employed Repeated Measures MANOVA to analyze differences in stigma attributions.
- Conducted Psychometric Network Analysis to examine the interrelationships between stigma facets.
Main Results:
- Biogenetic causes, social distancing, and discomfort were more frequently attributed to MDD compared to ADHD.
- Perceived dangerousness was significantly higher for ADHD than for MDD.
- Psychometric Network Analysis revealed no significant differences in the network structure of stigma components between MDD and ADHD.
- The 'dangerousness' component emerged as a highly influential node in stigma networks for both disorders.
Conclusions:
- Specific stigma facets vary between internalizing (MDD) and externalizing (ADHD) disorders in adolescents.
- Despite differing attributions, the underlying network of stigma components shows similar structures for both MDD and ADHD.
- The concept of 'dangerousness' consistently plays a pivotal role in adolescent stigma across different mental health conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
97
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
97
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.2K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.2K
02:04Bullying
8.5K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.5K
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
207
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and...
207
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
94
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
94
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
68
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
68