Stigma

What is courtesy stigma (associated stigma)?

"If society stigmatizes a group, it is courtesy to stigmatize those associated with that group" Parents of youth with mental illness were directly blamed for child's illness for decades Objective burden vs. subjective burden ?? Positions in mental health field often seen as low status because they "work with crazy people"

What are the effects of self-stigma?

Failure to seek treatment Drop out early from treatment Don't take advantage of life opportunities

Where do we often see stigma about mental illness in society?

Media Depictions - Pervasive stereotype of violence Language/Jokes - "you're a psycho", "you're crazy", ect. Laws - No parity for insurance coverage of treatment; civil commitment statututes; if mental illness is admitted, individual can't vote, hold office, have a drivers license, or maintain child custody in some states Professionals - low status for professionals in mental health.

What is self-stigma/internalized stigma?

Members of out-groups know stereotypes and internalize the derogation. -but groups may not always internalize the derogation (cases in which members can unite such as through race, gender, sexuality) Unification is not often seen in mental illness

What is the history of stigma and mental illness?

Most of history shows the banishment and exclusion of people with mental illness. Demonizing models of mental illness have also prevailed throughout history. Early medical models led to bloodletting. Treatment progressed to institutions in which people with mental illnesses were excluded from society. These institutions were banned, but were eventually replaced by mental hospitals that were overcrowded and unethical.

What does stigma emanate from?

Normative social-cognitive processes Everyone stereotypes --> pushed stigma onto others

Is mental illness linked to violence?

Only certain forms are linked to violence such as antisocial personality disorder, psychosis, and substance abuse. In general, most mental illnesses are linked to victimization.

What is stigma?

Psychological branding of shame

What is the group Lets Bring Change 2 Mind?

Self-directed, non-therapy groups in high school that discuss mental illness to promote education and acceptance of mental illness.

Distinguish stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and stigma

Stereotypes: Cognitive Prejudice: Affective Discrimination: Behavioral Stigma: All of the above. Victims entire being is marked by stigma

What are hidden or concealable stigmas?

Stigmatized attributes that can be concealed. There is a lot of anxiety with hidden stigmas regarding if individuals should "out" themselves or if their secret will be revealed.

What can be done to combat stigma in mental illness?

Systems level - recognition of the problem, anti-discriminatory laws, parity for insurance coverage of treatment, parity for funding research Media level- New set of images, listening to the voices of those who have mental illness, intentional PR about mental illness and therapy Group level - Protest demeaning ads and tv shows, more public education regarding mental illness, contact hypothesis (increasing contact with people who have mental illness can reduce stigma) Individual level - Accurate diagnosis and responsive treatment, developing coping strategies for those with mental illness, perceivers must overcome stereotypes

How does the attribution theory explain the stigma of mental illness?

Thought Process : Controllable negative events result in blame and stigma. But uncontrollable negative events result in reduced blame --> this is why the medical model was embraced. If mental illness is due to brain dysfunctions, the person can't control their behavior. Reality: the medical model results in more pessimism and social distancing. Why? 1. Behaviors generate fear automatically 2. Public may believe the medical model is an excuse 3. Medical Model ascribes the idea that mental illness will never get better 4. If behavior is genetic, tribal stigma kick in --> Person is flawed in every sense

Why is mental illness stigmatized?

Threat Theory- Mental illness threats a person's sense of stability (no mental stability is often a worst fear). People are afraid of sickness and death (prime stigma) Attribution theory- If a negative attribute is believed to be stable, pervasive, and controllable, it will be more stigmatized Structural Issues- System justification; stigma exists when there's inequality. If you're in the out-group you threaten the values of those at the top of the hierarchy, and if they blame you they don't have to blame themselves. Conditioning/Learning- Media images often convey violence and incompetence with mental illness

What are implicit vs. explicit measures of stigma?

Unconscious/unexpressed stigma is actually stronger than what we show

How to evolutionary models explain the stigma of mental illness?

We are all wired to be social and weary of other people who have certain traits (disease/contagion, cheating/exploitation, different color/beliefs) stigma is not inevitable because we can reason and have empathy