title: Stigmatizing Attitudes and Beliefs About Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Among Italian Undergraduates.
abstract: Stigmatizing attitudes toward eating disorders (EDs) may lead to reduced treatment seeking. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of stigmatizing trends and beliefs related to anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), and the associations with the experiential knowledge of the problem, in a large sample of Italian undergraduates. A total of 2109 participants completed an online survey including questionnaires related to stigmatizing beliefs toward AN and BN, and personal contacts with people with EDs. Undergraduates reported almost overlapping low levels of stigmatizing trends for AN and BN, apart from personal responsibility and social distance. Those aged 18 to 25 and living with family held higher stigmatizing attitudes. Stigma was lower in underweight participants and in those (12%) reporting a previous ED diagnosis. Although not improving stigmatizing attitudes, 83% of the sample was familiar with people with an ED. Antistigma actions to increase awareness on EDs and to improve treatment-seeking behaviors are needed.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy; and †Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caslini
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crocamo
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dakanalis
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tremolada
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrà
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult