Effects of biogenetic beliefs for schizophrenia on potential caregivers in China: Exploring the role of affiliate stigma

Weiner's Attribution-Emotion-Action Model: Uncovering the Mediating Role of Self-Blame and the Moderating Effect of the Helper's Responsibility for the Help Recipient's Behavior

Seven preregistered experimental studies investigated a potential mediator (self-blame) and moderator (the perceived responsibility of the helper for the help recipient's behavior) of Weiner's attribution-emotion-action model. When participants considered a nonchild close other experiencing depression, higher perceived controllability was related to lower sympathy, which correlated with less willingness to provide support; however, among parents considering their child experiencing depression, perceived controllability was either positively associated with sympathy (study 1) or did not influence sympathy (study 2). Offering an explanation, studies 3a/3b indicated a significantly weaker relationship between controllability and responsibility attributions when the target of help was the participant's child. Study 4 investigated the underlying mechanism. Parents experienced self-blame when the cause was controllable, which lowered the association between controllability and responsibility attributions. Studies 5 and 6 revealed this pattern was not specific to the parent-child relationship but occurred whenever the potential helper felt responsible for the help recipient's behavior.

Predictors of attitudes toward potentially having a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child among Chinese heterosexual adults

Parental acceptance is a robust protective factor for lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) individuals' mental health, yet its predictors have not been frequently studied in China. The present study examined predictors of Chinese heterosexual adults' attitudes toward potentially having an LGB child. Participants were 700 Chinese nationals (37.6% women and 62.4% men) aged 18-64 who identified as exclusively heterosexual and did not have an LGB child. We found that beliefs about the changeability of sexual orientation and beliefs in negative outcomes of being LGB predicted negative attitudes toward having an LGB child in domains of emotion, cognition, and behavior. Moreover, more exposure to LGB individuals predicted reduced disapproval and negative actions as well as increased positive actions. These findings revealed the key factors to changing Chinese people's attitudes toward having an LGB child. Clinical implications for therapists and counselors working with Chinese LGB individuals and their parents are discussed.

Effects of a Cognitive Schema Account on the Stigma of Schizophrenia: A Study in a French University Student Sample

Among people with psychiatric disorders, those with schizophrenia are subject to high levels of stigmatization. Research is necessary to identify new strategies that may help reduce the stigma of schizophrenia. Educational strategies using cognitive accounts, particularly early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), have shown promising results in the context of depression, but they have not been evaluated in the context of schizophrenia. The present study compared the effect on the stigma of three different educational strategies, based on cognitive distortions, biogenetics, and EMSs. A total of 378 students were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. Three experimental groups were presented with a vignette that introduced 1 of 3 different etiological accounts of schizophrenia (cognitive distortions, EMSs, or biogenetics). The fourth group was presented with a text unrelated to schizophrenia. The participants completed questionnaires that measured their attitudes, empathic concern, and social distance toward people with schizophrenia, before and after reading the text. The intervention using the EMS etiology account for schizophrenia was the only one that led to a significant decrease in stigma. The latter effect was driven mainly by an increase in the level of empathic concern toward people with schizophrenia. Given that similar results have been observed for depression and that the role of EMSs in many psychiatric disorders has been demonstrated, studying the effects of EMS explanations for other stigmatized disorders may be promising for reducing the stigma of psychiatric disorders.

An empirical examination of the biogenetic approach in schizophrenia stigma reduction through an attribution lens

BACKGROUND

The biogenetic approach in mental health stigmatization reduction has received increased attention. Taking the perspective of Weiner's attribution theory, the biogenetic explanations can be helpful in reducing the perceptions of controllability of mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia). However, recent studies reveal that biogenetic explanations may increase social stigma and discrimination against people with schizophrenia.

AIMS

The current research, using Weiner's attribution theory, empirically examined the effects of biogenetic beliefs on the desire for social distance via perceptions of controllability and stability of schizophrenia using a Chinese sample.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study (n = 156) and an experiment (n = 124) were carried out. Participants were recruited from an urban city in China. In the experiment, participants were randomly assigned to receive a biogenetic/control lecture and filled out a survey.

RESULTS

Biogenetic beliefs had indirect effects on the desire for social distance via decreased perceived controllability and increased perceived stability, which resulted in little to no change on the desire for social distance.

CONCLUSION

The biogenetic approach could decrease the perceptions of controllability of schizophrenia which may reduce the desire for social distance; however, it could also increase the perceptions of stability which may increase the desire for social distance, especially among close others. Cautions are warranted when using and disseminating the biogenetic causes of schizophrenia amongin the general public.

Bad things happen and can drive you crazy: The causal beliefs of 701 people taking antipsychotics

In almost all countries the public prefers psycho-social explanations of 'schizophrenia' to bio-genetic ones. The causal explanations of people who experience psychosis have been under-researched, and, if they diverge from the dominant bio-genetic paradigm, can be dismissed as 'lack of insight'. 701 people, from 30 countries, who completed an online survey about their experiences on antipsychotics, answered an open question about what had caused the problems for which they had been prescribed the drugs. On a 'Bio-Social' likert scale, from 1 = 'Purely Biological' to 5 = 'Purely Social', the mean score was 4.24. Thematic analysis of 1,063 causal statements produced seven themes: Social (49.9%), Psychological (12.1%), Bio-genetic (11.6%), Iatrogenic (11.3%), Drug and Alcohol (6.7%), Medical Condition (4.5%) and Insomnia (4.0%). Respondents were 13 times more likely to report predominantly or exclusively Social causes as to report predominantly or exclusively Bio-genetic causes. Those with a psychosis diagnosis were even more likely than others to report a Social cause. The causal beliefs of this sample are consistent with previous studies of people diagnosed with 'schizophrenia' and the beliefs of the public. They are also aligned with recent research into the social causes of psychosis. It is argued that rather than dismiss the beliefs as 'lack of insight' it is more respectful and productive to listen carefully and adjust our understandings and services accordingly.