title: Personal and perceived stigmatization of depression: a comparison of data from the general population, participants of a depression congress and job placement officers in Germany.
abstract: Personal and perceived depression stigma was assessed with Griffiths and colleagues׳ Depression Stigma Scale in 1509 German adults. The sample comprised three groups of participants: attendees of a depression congress, job placement officers and a representative general population sample. In all groups, personal stigma was lower than perceived stigma. Personal stigma was significantly higher in the general population than in the placement officers, and lowest in congress attendees. Perceived stigma was lower in congress attendees than in the general population. Personal stigma was lower in women decreased with age. The finding of lower personal stigma compared to perceived stigma might reflect effects of social desirability. Those with less contact with persons with depression, i.e. job placement officers and the general population, may be less tolerant and lack understanding of depression, resulting in higher levels of personal stigma. These findings support the notion that depression campaigns should be tailor-made to address gender and age-specific differences in personal and perceived stigma.
authors.affiliation: Inpatient and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: sandra.dietrich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.affiliation: Inpatient and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mergl
authors.affiliation: Inpatient and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany; German Depression Aid Foundation, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rummel-Kluge
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011639:Public Opinion; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Age and gender differences; Depression; Depression Stigma Scale; General population; Personal and perceived stigma