title: Predictors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder stigma.
abstract: The stigma associated with mental illness can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including delaying or avoiding help seeking. Identifying the characteristics of people who are more likely to hold stigmatizing attitudes enables the development of targeted stigma reduction programs. However, no previous research has systematically examined the predictors of anxiety stigma. This study used the Generalized Anxiety Stigma Scale (GASS) to assess the predictors of personal stigma and perceived stigma associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. A community sample of 617 Australian adults completed a survey that included the GASS, the Depression Stigma Scale, exposure to anxiety disorders, emotional distress and a range of demographic characteristics. Linear regression models indicated that women, people with greater exposure to anxiety disorders and people reporting a previous anxiety diagnosis had lower personal stigma toward anxiety. Higher exposure to anxiety disorders and rurality were significantly associated with higher perceived anxiety stigma. Results also suggested that respondents who had only been exposed to anxiety disorders through the media tended to be no more stigmatizing than respondents who had direct contact with people with an anxiety disorder. Media campaigns may be an effective vehicle for decreasing stigmatizing views in the community.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health Research, Building 63, Eggleston Road, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia. philip.batterham@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Batterham
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Barney
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires