title: [A myth of Jekyll and Hyde?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  People widely believe that schizophrenia goes along with a split personality. Little is known, however, about the consequences of this belief. In this study, we tested whether the split-personality-belief is associated with stigmatization of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 416 persons was recruited from the general population. In an online-survey, the split-personality-belief, the stereotypes dangerousness and unpredictability/incompetence and individual discrimination (i. e. desired social distance) of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia were assessed by self-report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The split-personality-belief was associated with increased perceived dangerousness, unpredictability/incompetence and desired social distance. Both stereotypes mediated the relationship of split-personality-belief and desired social distance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The split-personality-belief is associated with and may even contribute to stigmatiziation of persons with schizophrenia. Efforts to reduce stigmatization are likely to benefit from battling this misconception.
authors: Fachbereich Psychologie, Universität Hamburg. bjoern.schlier@studium.unihamburg.de
authors: Björn
authors: B
authors: Schlier
authors: Tania M
authors: TM
authors: Lincoln
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003405:Creativity; D003469:Culture; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009229:Mythology; D011379:Prognosis; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011639:Public Opinion; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult