title: [Stigmatizing Attitudes towards Cancer Patients--Results of a Representative Population Survey].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate stigmatizing attitudes towards cancer patients in the general population and to examine their association with socio-structural characteristics and perceived causes of disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited a representative sample from the German general population (n=2420; mean age: 52 years; 54% women). Stigmatizing attitudes were assessed with a 9-item scale. Predictors of stigmatizing attitudes were identified using a regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Agreement with stigmatization items ranged from 3.6% (item: work together with a cancer patient) to 18.9% (item: use the same dishes as a cancer patient). Perceived causes of disease with a high levels of personal responsibility showed only weak correlations with stigmatizing attitudes (all r<0.31) and were partially statistical significant (e. g. food intake) or not significant (e. g. alcohol). The strongest predictors of stigmatizing attitudes were lack of cancer-related experiences (Beta=-0,26), age <60 years (Beta=0,1) and the assumption that one cannot protect oneself from cancer (Beta=0,11) (all p<0.001). Further predictors were male gender and living in rural area (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate a need for further research and the development of valid methodological instruments to assess stigmatization towards cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinz
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehmann-Laue
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehnert
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weißflog
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011153:Population; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult