Ingroup perception and responses to stigma among persons with mental illness.
OBJECTIVE
Mental illness stigma is common, but it is unclear why it affects some individuals more than others. We tested the hypothesis that the way persons with mental illness perceive their ingroup (people with mental illness) in terms of group value, group identification and entitativity (perception of the ingroup as a coherent unit) shapes their reaction to stigma.


METHODS
Ingroup perceptions, perceived legitimacy of discrimination and reactions to stigma (educating or helping others, social performance, secrecy, social distance, hopelessness) were assessed among 85 people with mental illness using questionnaires and a standardized role-play test.


RESULTS
Controlling for depression and perceived discrimination, high group value and low perceived legitimacy of discrimination predicted positive reactions to stigma. High group identification and entitativity predicted positive reactions only in the context of high group value or low perceived legitimacy of discrimination.


CONCLUSIONS
Group value and perceived legitimacy of discrimination may be useful targets to help people with mental illness to better cope with stigma.
Rüsch
N
N
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA. nicolas.ruesch@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Corrigan
P W
PW
Wassel
A
A
Michaels
P
P
Olschewski
M
M
Wilkniss
S
S
Batia
K
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires