Public conceptions of mental illness: labels, causes, dangerousness, and social distance.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The authors used nationwide survey data to characterize current public conceptions related to recognition of mental illness and perceived causes, dangerousness, and desired social distance. METHODS: Data were derived from a vignette experiment included in the 1996 General Social Survey. Respondents (n = 1444) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 vignette conditions. Four vignettes described psychiatric disorders meeting diagnostic criteria, and the fifth depicted a "troubled person" with subclinical problems and worries. RESULTS: Results indicate that the majority of the public identifies schizophrenia (88%) and major depression (69%) as mental illnesses and that most report multicausal explanations combining stressful circumstances with biologic and genetic factors. Results also show, however, that smaller proportions associate alcohol (49%) or drug (44%) abuse with mental illness and that symptoms of mental illness remain strongly connected with public fears about potential violence and with a desire for limited social interaction. CONCLUSIONS: While there is reason for optimism in the public's recognition of mental illness and causal attributions, a strong stereotype of dangerousness and desire for social distance persist. These latter conceptions are likely to negatively affect people with mental illness.

Smoking and the emergence of a stigmatized social status

“…Fear has been shown to contribute to stigmatizing attitudes toward numerous attributes, health conditions and behaviors such as leprosy (Bainson and Van den Borne 1998), HIV/ AIDS (Herek, Capitanio and Widaman 2002) and mental illness (Link et al 1999). The reasons underlying these fears (e.g., contagion, unpredictability) and the evidence base for them varies for each condition and behavior.…”

Police officers' perceptions and experiences with mentally disordered suspects

“…Labelling theory (Scheff, 1984;Link, Phelan, Bresnahan, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 1999) addresses such perceptions and attitudes and proposes that professionals who enforce boundaries (such as the police) provide the main source of labelling. This was demonstrated by early research conducted by Chambliss (1973) who found that police officers always took action against the group of people labelled the 'roughnecks' (those who had lower class backgrounds) when compared to the 'saints'…”

“…More recent research has also suggested that police officers are more likely to arrest individuals with a mental disorder (Teplin & Pruett, 1992), though the reverse has also been found (Engel & Silver, 2001;Watson, et al, 2004). This indicates that if MD suspects are viewed negatively, the way they are treated may be different due to the set of myths, stereotypes or beliefs that the MD label can evoke (Link et al, 1999;Scheff, 1966). However, other research has highlighted that police officers demonstrate an understanding of MD suspects and their needs and so treat such individuals with empathy and compassion (Mclean & Marshall, 2010).…”

Associations of multiple domains of self-esteem with four dimensions of stigma in schizophrenia

“…Nevertheless, a potential problem associated with belonging to this group is that there are stereotyped beliefs attached to severe mental illness (Martin et al, 2000;Swindle et al, 2000). Categorically referred to as stigma, these beliefs are spread across all levels of society and include expectations of violent and disorderly behavior as well as the conviction that persons with schizophrenia cannot work or make informed decisions about their welfare (Link et al, 1999;Phelan et al, 2000).…”