A comparison of contextual and biomedical models of stigma reduction for depression with a nonclinical undergraduate sample.
Stigma reduction programs are dominated by a biomedical model that presents depression as a medical illness. Alternately, a contextual model emphasizes that one should not be blamed for environmental influences. This study compared biomedical, contextual, and control stigma reduction programs to each other and to a no-program control. The main hypotheses were that the contextual program would have the greatest impact and that a match between participants' beliefs about depression and the model presented would moderate this effect. Seventy-four participants were randomized to the 3 programs and 12 participants served as a no-program control. The contextual and control programs reduced stigma significantly compared with the no-program control, whereas the biomedical program did not. Beliefs about depression moderated this effect only for the biomedical condition. Contextual and control programs seem to be effective but a biomedical model may be risky for those who disagree with the model. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Rusch
Laura C
LC
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA.
Kanter
Jonathan W
JW
Brondino
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011287:Prejudice; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents