title: Changes in the perception of mental illness stigma in Germany over the last two decades.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the evolution of the perception of the stigma attached to mental illness in Germany since 1990 up to the present.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population surveys were conducted in the old German States (former Federal Republic of Germany) in 1990, 2001, and 2011. The perception of stigma attached to people with mental illness was assessed with the help of Link's perceived discrimination and devaluation scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 2011 survey, less mental illness stigma was perceived by respondents than in the previous surveys. In the eyes of the German public, the devaluation and rejection of people with mental illness has substantially decreased since 1990.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perception of a decline of the stigmatization is in contrast to the development of the German public's attitudes towards persons with mental disorders, which remained unchanged or even worsened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived and personal attitudes towards persons with mental illness have developed differently, and it remains to be seen whether perceptions of less public stigma will ultimately be followed by improved personal attitudes.
authors: Center for Public Mental Health, Untere Zeile 13, A-3482 Gösing am Wagram, Austria; Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: angermeyer@aon.an.
authors: Matthias C
authors: MC
authors: Angermeyer
authors: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany; Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University of Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Herbert
authors: H
authors: Matschinger
authors: Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors: Mauro G
authors: MG
authors: Carta
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Germany; HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Germany.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Schomerus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011639:Public Opinion; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental illness; Perceived stigma; Population survey; Time trend