title: Descriptive study of stigma associated with severe and persistent mental illness among the general population of Madrid (Spain).
abstract: The aim is to analyze the stigma associated with severe and persistent mental illness in the general population of the community of Madrid, Spain, as a first step to promote strategies to fight against it. Participants (n = 439) showed adequate general knowledge about mental illness, but a high degree of confusion with mental retardation. Stigmatizing attitudes focusing mainly on the disposition to help and on pity. Moreover, there were some perception of contamination and pity toward other family members. Psychosis seems to shows more stigma attitudes than cancer and depression, but less than cocaine addiction and AIDS.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Madrid Complutense University, Campus de Somosaguas, Madrid, Spain. mcrespo@psi.ucm.es
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Eloísa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Santos
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Ana I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Guillén
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult