[Is there a connection between right-wing extremism and social distancing from mentally ill people? Results from a representative survey among the adult German population].
OBJECTIVE
There are indications of a link between right-wing extremist orientation and attitudes towards people with mental illnesses. Social distance is used to investigate this.


METHODS
In 2002, a representative survey was conducted among the German adult population (n = 2089). Social distance was measured using a question from the European values surveys. Right-wing extremist attitudes were measured with a scale developed by Niedermayer and Faller.


RESULTS
Only a marginal link between right-wing extremism and social distance towards people with mental illnesses was found which, moreover, showed an inconsistent pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
It would be premature to conclude from this "negative" finding that a right-wing extremist orientation has no influence on the attitude towards people with mental illnesses, especially in the light of only one form of discrimination being investigated here.
Beck
Michael
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Universität Leipzig.
Angermeyer
Matthias C
MC
Brähler
Elmar
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D028683:National Socialism; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D011057:Politics; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011639:Public Opinion; D012928:Social Desirability; D012941:Social Responsibility