title: Public perceptions of stigma towards people with schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.
abstract: Stigma is one of the greatest challenges facing people with a psychiatric diagnosis. They are widely stigmatised by the general public in the western world. The aim of this study was to examine public stigma attitudes towards schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) 2008 opinions survey (n=1070) was utilised. Percentage of endorsements for stigma items were initially compared to the previous 1998 and 2003 databases. Overall stigma attitudes had decreased (from 1998 to 2008) but increased since 2003. A principal components factor analysis identified that stigma attitudes have the same three factors structure across all diagnoses; negative stereotypes, patient blame and inability to recover. Schizophrenia was significantly associated with the most negative stereotypes, least blamed and viewed as least likely to recover compared to anxiety and depression. Public and individualised interventions that target diagnostic variability in stigma attitudes need to be developed and examined in future research.
authors: Inpatient and Acute Directorate, North East London Foundation Trust, Goodmayes Hospital, Essex, IG3 8XJ UK. Electronic address: lisawood3@nhs.net.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Wood
authors: School of Psychological Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Birtel
authors: Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust, Prestwich Hospital, Bury New Road, Manchester, M25 3BL, UK.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Alsawy
authors: Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust, Prestwich Hospital, Bury New Road, Manchester, M25 3BL, UK.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Pyle
authors: School of Psychological Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust, Prestwich Hospital, Bury New Road, Manchester, M25 3BL, UK.
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044382:Population Groups; D011639:Public Opinion; D012106:Research; D012559:Schizophrenia; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety disorder; Depression; Public attitudes; Schizophrenia; Stigma; Survey data