Stigmatization of anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the perceptions about an individual with anorexia nervosa (AN) relative to perceptions about a healthy person and a person with another mental or nonmental illness.


METHODS
Ninety-one participants recruited from the community completed questionnaires targeting perceptions about 4 individuals: a healthy person, a person with asthma, a person with schizophrenia, and a person with AN.


RESULTS
Evaluations of personal characteristics were most negative for persons with AN. Participants believed the person with AN was most to blame for his/her condition, was best able to pull him/herself together if he/she wanted to, and was most acting this way for attention and that biological factors were least relevant in developing the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative perceptions of a person with AN fell into stigma categories of self-attribution and responsibility. These attitudes may contribute to reluctance to seek treatment among individuals with AN.
Stewart
Maria-Christina
MC
Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaiii, USA.
Keel
Pamela K
PK
Schiavo
R Steven
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D001900:Boston; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice