Explicit and implicit stigma towards peers with mental health problems in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescents with mental health problems are widely reported to have problems with peer relationships; however, few studies have explored the way in which these children are regarded by their peers. For example, little is known about the nature of peer stigmatisation, and no published research has investigated implicit attitudes thus ensuring that stigma is not well understood. To address this issue, the current study explored patterns of explicit and implicit stigmatisation of peers with depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The sample was 385 children (M = 10.21 years) and adolescents (M = 15.36 years). Participants completed a questionnaire assessing explicit stigma towards an age‐ and gender‐matched peer with ADHD or depression and another peer with ‘normal issues’ who were described in vignettes. They also completed a modified version of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) that explored implicit attitudes towards the target peers. Results: Questionnaire data indicated that the peer with ADHD was perceived more negatively than the peer with depression on all dimensions of stigma, except perceived dangerousness and fear. In contrast, the IAT findings suggest that some participants had more negative views of the peer with depression than the peer with ADHD. Specifically, the findings demonstrate that adolescent males demonstrated significantly stronger negative implicit evaluations of depression compared with younger males and adolescent females. Conclusions: Children and adolescents demonstrate stigmatising responses to peers with common mental health problems. The nature and extent of these responses depends on the type of problem and the type of measurement used. The findings highlight the importance of using both explicit and implicit measures of stigma.

Measuring stigma in children receiving mental health treatment: Validation of the Paediatric Self-Stigmatization Scale (PaedS)

“…This is in line with studies identifying stigmatization towards them by their peers (e.g. [29,30,31] and by adults (e.g. [32,33]).…”

Stigmatization and self-perception of youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…50 Other measurement approaches to public stigma perception have utilized vignettes depicting persons with symptoms of various mental or physical disorders, combined with assessment of stigmatizing beliefs (prejudice, eg, perceived danger to self or others) and of stigmatizing actions (discrimination, eg, social distance, social regulation). [51][52][53][54][55][56] For a current relevant detailed example of this approach, please see the description of the etiology and effects of the stigma model used for the National Stigma Study -Children (see page 52). 53 …”

“…51,52,54,57 Bussing et al used a mixedmethods approach combining vignette responses and open-ended answers to study ADHD treatment willingness and perceptions of undesirable treatment side effects among four stakeholder groups for ADHD treatment of adolescents, namely 148 youth, 161 caregivers, 132 healthcare providers, and 122 teachers. 57 Stigma associated with medication and behavioral therapies emerged as a significant treatment barrier in the qualitative analysis.…”

“…O'Driscoll et al 54 203 children (10-11 years) and 182 adolescents (15-16 years) were recruited from public school in Ireland.…”

The influence of social stigmas on observers' eye movements

“…Other social stigmas often leave less obvious visual cues, and therefore rely on information given to the observer. For example, mental health conditions or a criminal past do not always leave visual cues, but can lead to a strong social stigma (Barney, Griffiths, Jorm, & Christensen, 2006;Conner et al, 2010;Driscoll, Heary, Hennessy, & McKeague, 2012;Eisenberg, Downs, Golberstein, & Zivin, 2009;Komiti, Judd, & Jackson, 2006;Nadeem et al, 2007;Pager, 2003;Reynders, Kerkhof, Molenberghs, & Van Audenhove, 2014;Schomerus, Matschinger, & Angermeyer, 2009;Schwartz & Skolnick, 1962). The stigma involved with such conditions, however, may prevent people from discussing their condition or seeking help (Barney et al, 2006;Conner et al, 2010;Nadeem et al, 2007;Reynders et al, 2014;Schomerus et al, 2009).…”