Variability in lay perceptions of depression: A vignette study

Abstract

This paper describes a study investigating lay perceptions of depression in terms of perceived severity. Students (N = 128) were presented with vignettes describing individuals with symptoms of depression based on DSM-IV. The descriptions were varied in terms of gender, social status, and a self-referent manner of communicating depressive symptomatology. Participants were asked to rate the degree to which vignette characters were thought to be depressed on a Likert-type scale. Results indicate that a non-self-referent style of communicating depressive symptoms by female vignette characters was seen as an indication of elevated levels of depression, and these findings are discussed with reference to the literature.

Barriers in Diagnosing and Treating Men With Depression: A Focus Group Report

“…Again, this might reflect somewhat of a passive acceptance of a depressed mood by some men who may not see depressed feelings as unusual, atypical, or unmasculine. Alternatively, the perception of happiness as being an opposing feeling to depressed state may reflect one of many misperceptions the general public seems to have about depression (Heim, Smallwood, & Davies, 2005). In other words, men may see depression as simply "not being happy" when the disorder is far more complex and can manifest itself in many different ways in a person's life or lifestyle.…”

Public Attitudes, Lay Theories and Mental Health Literacy: The Understanding of Mental Health

“…• Heim, Smallwood & Davies (2005) 128 Students were presented with vignettes describing individuals with symptoms of depression based on the DSM-IV to investigate lay perceptions of depression in terms of perceived severity. Descriptions varied in terms of gender, social status and a self-referent manner of communicating depressive symptomology.…”

Beliefs about the causes and cures of depression

“…Most of the MHL literacy work in this area has used vignettes (Heim, Smallwood, & Davies, 2005). Swami (2012) reviewed a number of depression vignette studies done over a 10-year period and noted that the ability of the general public to identify someone with depression rose from around 40% to 70%.…”