title: The picture of mental health/illness in the printed media in three Central European countries.
abstract: Even in the era of the Internet, printed media are still among the most frequently identified sources of mental health information. Many studies have shown that this information is frequently negative and contributes to stigmatization of people with mental illness. This international comparative study describes the content of media messages about mental health/illness in terms of stigma in three Central European countries. The study sample comprised all articles pertaining to the topic of mental health/illness (N = 450) identified during five week-long periods in 2007 chosen from the six most widely read newspapers and magazines in each country. The authors used content analysis methods to achieve quantitative and qualitative objectives. More than half of all articles contained negative statements reflecting stigma toward persons with mental illness. Substance abuse disorders are the most frequent mental conditions covered in all three countries (22%), and psychotic disorders are the most stigmatized. Countries significantly differ in length of articles, in the association of aggressive behavior with persons with mental illness, and in the use of a sensationalized style of writing. Coverage of mental health/illness issues differs to some extent across countries but is generally of poor quality. On the basis of the authors' findings, practical recommendations for journalists can be tailored specifically for each country.
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Charles University in Prague, Ke Karlovu 11, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic. lucie.nawkova@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nawková
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nawka
authors.forename: Tereza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adámková
authors.forename: Tea Vukušić
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Rukavina
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holcnerová
authors.forename: Martina Rojnić
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kuzman
authors.forename: Nikolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jovanović
authors.forename: Ognjen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brborović
authors.forename: Bibiána
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bednárová
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zuchová
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miovský
authors.forename: Jiří
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raboch
mesh_terms: D017523:Croatia; D018153:Czech Republic; D058015:Health Communication / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011639:Public Opinion; D018154:Slovakia; D013240:Stereotyping; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology