Navigating athlete mental health: Perspectives from performance directors within elite sport

Performance directors lead high-performance programmes within elite sport and where they opt to invest resources has implications for athletes. This study explores performance directors' perspectives on mental health and illness and their experiences of managing these within elite sport. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 performance directors, resulting in 18 h of data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We constructed three themes: 1) making sense of mental health: legitimacy vs. scepticism; 2) mental health as athlete responsibility; and 3) simplifying and sanitising mental health. Performance directors used physical health analogies to make sense of mental health, sometimes describing unrealistic expectations regarding mental health management. They also positioned athletes as responsible for finding solutions to their mental health concerns, at times overlooking the impact of the elite sport environment. Some performance directors shared over-simplified perceptions of mental health, often focusing on 'the positive' and neglecting to talk about the more challenging aspects of mental health and illness. Educating performance directors, as well as others in leadership positions, on the complexities of mental health and illness is recommended. This should include how mental illness differs from physical illness and injury, how to respond when athletes disclose mental health concerns, and how mental illness recovery is often nonlinear and subjectively defined.

Prolonged Grief Disorder, but Not Death From COVID-19, Elicits Public Stigma: A Vignette-Based Experiment

We investigated the effects of cause of death (COVID-19 with an underlying medical condition vs. without) and prolonged grief disorder status (PGD present or absent) on participants' reported public stigma towards the bereaved. Participants (N = 304, 66% women; Mage = 39.39 years) were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes describing a bereaved man. Participants completed stigma measures assessing negative attributions, desired social distance, and emotional reactions. Participants reported significantly stronger stigmatizing responses towards an individual with PGD (vs. without PGD) across all stigma measures. There was no significant difference in stigma based on cause of death; however, stigma was reported regardless of cause of death. There was no significant interaction between cause of death and PGD on stigma. This study supports the robust finding of public stigma being reported toward an individual with PGD, suggesting these individuals are at risk of public stigma and not receiving adequate bereavement support.

The anatomy of prejudice during pandemic lockdowns: Evidence from a national panel study

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a spike in the reporting of hate crimes (Human Rights Watch, 2020). However, the extent to which the pandemic affected prejudice across a general population-not merely among those disposed to hate crimes-remains unclear. Also unclear is the extent to which prejudice was restricted to specific minority groups associated with the virus, or whether prejudice spilled over to other minority groups. To address these questions, we use panel data collected from participants in a large national longitudinal (panel) study of New Zealanders before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic and systematically quantified social warmth ratings across a broad range of minority-groups (The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, N = 30,327, years 2018-2020). We discover reduced warmth toward Chinese, Asians (broadly defined), immigrants, Muslims, refugees, Indians, and the mentally ill. In absolute terms, warmth towards Chinese decreased the most (0.11 SD). Notably, changes in warmth were not detected toward NZ Europeans, Māori, Pacific Islanders, the overweight, or the elderly. Overall, these findings suggest that in New Zealand, pandemic prejudice may spread beyond minority groups associated with the virus to other groups perceived as non-prototypical of national identity.

A Qualitative Study Into the Relative Stigmatization of Mental Illness by Mental Health Professionals

Mental health professionals stigmatize mental illness, which has significant ramifications for public health and policy. Within this domain, there is a lack of comprehensive research on relative stigma, emotions, and behaviors and an absence of literature that can guide research on these topics. The current study sought to address these limitations. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 22 mental health professionals, and data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The current study identified a collection of mental disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder), stereotypes (e.g., dangerousness), emotion-related responses (e.g., fear), and behaviors (e.g., helping) as being key to the relative stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals. The results also suggested that professional context and familiarity with mental illness decrease the stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals. These variables and constructs were combined to form a grounded theory of mental health professionals stigmatizing mental illness. The current study has implications for the direction of future research on the stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals and interventions that strive to mitigate this type of stigmatization.

Parental Depression and Self-Stigma Among Chinese Young People Living With Depression: A Qualitative Study

Self-stigma is detrimental to psychosocial well-being and the recovery journey among people living with depression. However, there has been limited research exploring the experience of stigma internalization when depression runs in families. This study aims to address this gap by (1) characterizing the manifestations of self-stigma among individuals living with depression whose parent(s) also have depression and (2) exploring the potential mechanisms underlying the impact of parental depression on self-stigma. Essential principles of the constructivist grounded theory approach were adopted to collect data through in-depth interviews with 27 participants aged 15-30, living in Mainland China. Many participants perceived depression running in their family as an endless disaster and an incurable illness. These beliefs further led to stigmatizing emotions (such as suppression, anger, and guilt) and behaviors (such as concealment and social withdrawal). Participants also highlighted ambivalent intergenerational relationships, tense family atmospheres, lower parental emotional involvement and support, and a lack of family flexibility due to parental depression. Furthermore, parental depression impacted participants' self-stigma by interfering with family relationships, family functioning, and parenting styles. It also shaped their perceptions of family, illness attribution, and public stigma. Additionally, parental depression had an impact on participants' social functioning, self-esteem, and personality, making them more susceptible to self-stigma. This study emphasizes the crucial role that the family plays in the internalization of stigma among individuals living with depression. It suggests that family dynamics, rather than family structure or economic backgrounds alone, shape this process.

Behavioral Addiction from the Asian Americans Perspective: Exploration of Public and Help-Seeking Stigma

Asian Americans have been unlikely to seek mental health services despite their needs for treatment, particularly when experiencing significant gambling or Internet gaming problems. Stigma is often considered to be a barrier to seeking help. To understand how stigma impacts Asian Americans' willingness to seek mental health services, the present study used an online survey to investigate the public stigma associated with addictive behaviors and help-seeking stigma among Asian Americans. Participants (N = 431) who self-identified as Asian American, reside in the US. Using a between-groups vignette study design, it was found that the individual with a behavioral addiction received more stigma compared to the individual who experienced a financial crisis. In addition, participants were more likely to seek help if they experienced addictive behavioral problems rather than financial problems. Lastly, this study did not reveal a significant relation between public stigma attached to addictive behaviors and Asian Americans' willingness to seek help, but it found that participants' willingness to seek help was positively associated with public stigma of help seeking (β = 0.23) and negatively associated with self-stigma attached to help-seeking (β = - 0.09). Based on these findings, recommendations are provided to inform community outreach to reduce stigma and promote mental health service utilization among Asian Americans.

Two validation studies of a performance validity test for autistic adults

In two studies we examined the potential of a simple emotion recognition task, the Morel Emotional Numbing Test (MENT), as a performance validity test (PVT) for autism-related cognitive difficulties in adulthood. The aim of a PVT is to indicate non-credible performance, which can aid the interpretation of psychological assessments. There are currently no validated PVTs for autism-related difficulties in adulthood. In Study 1, non-autistic university students (aged 18-46 years) were instructed to simulate that they were autistic during a psychological assessment (simulation condition; n = 26). These students made more errors on the MENT than those instructed to do their best (control condition; n = 26). In Study 2, we tested how well autistic adults performed on the MENT. We found that clinically diagnosed autistic adults and non-autistic adults (both n = 25; 27-57 years; IQ > 80) performed equally well on the MENT. Moreover, autistic adults made significantly fewer errors than the instructed simulators in Study 1. The MENT reached a specificity of ≥98% (identifying 100% of non-simulators as non-simulator in Study 1 and 98% in Study 2) and a sensitivity of 96% (identifying 96% of simulators as simulator). Together these findings provide the first empirical evidence for the validity of the MENT as a potential PVT for autism-related cognitive difficulties.

Stigma Toward Substance Dependence: Causes, Consequences, and Potential Interventions

Substance dependence is a prevalent and urgent public health problem. In 2021, 60 million Americans reported abusing alcohol within the month prior to being surveyed, and nearly 20 million Americans reported using illegal drugs (e.g., heroin) or prescription drugs (e.g., opioids) for nonmedical reasons in the year before. Drug-involved overdose rates have been steadily increasing over the past 20 years. This increase has been primarily driven by opioid and stimulant use. Despite its prevalence, drug dependence is one of the most stigmatized health conditions. Stigma has myriad negative consequences for its targets, including limiting their access to employment and housing, disrupting interpersonal relationships, harming physical and mental health, and reducing help-seeking. However, because research on stigma toward people with substance use disorders (SUDs) is relatively sparse compared with research on stigma toward other mental illnesses, the field lacks a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of SUD stigma. Moreover, it remains unclear how, if at all, these factors differ from other types of mental illness stigma. The goal of this review is to take stock of the literature on SUD stigma, providing a clear set of foundational principles and a blueprint for future research and translational activity.

Gaming disorder and stigma-related judgements of gaming individuals: An online randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The inclusion of gaming disorder (GD) in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) has generated scholarly debate, including claims about its potential stigmatizing effects on the wider gaming population. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of addiction-based and non-addiction-based conceptualizations of problem gaming on stigma of gamers.

DESIGN

This preregistered experiment involved a 2 (health information: addiction-related or non-addiction-related) × 3 (vignette: problem, regular or casual gamer) randomized, between-subjects design.

SETTING

An international sample of participants was recruited via Prolific in June and July 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were eligible (n = 1228) if they were aged 35 to 50 years, played video games for no more than 6 hours per week and did not endorse DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria for GD.

INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR

Participants were provided with an explanation of problem gaming as related to either an addictive disorder (i.e. 'addiction' explanation) or personal choice and lifestyle factors (i.e. 'non-addiction' explanation).

MEASUREMENTS

The Attribution Questionnaire (AQ) and Universal Stigma Scale (USS) assessed stigma toward each gamer vignette. Vignettes described a problem gamer (with features of GD); a regular gamer (frequent gaming; some life interference); and a casual gamer (infrequent gaming; no life interference).

FINDINGS

Problem gamer vignettes (mean [M] = 113.3; 95% CI = 111.5-115.4) received higher AQ stigma ratings than regular (M = 94.0; 95% CI = 91.9-95.9) and casual gamers (M = 80.1; 95% CI = 78.2-82.1). Although significant, the effect of health information type on AQ stigma ratings was negligible (addiction group [M = 97.6; 95% CI = 95.9-99.1], non-addiction group [M = 94.1; 95% CI = 92.6-95.8]). However, the addiction information group scored lower on USS blame and responsibility than the non-addiction information group with at least a small effect (99.1% confidence).

CONCLUSIONS

Framing of problem gaming as an addictive disorder or non-addictive activity appears to have a negligible effect on stigma of different gamers among middle-age adults with minimal gaming experience. The concept of 'gaming addiction' seems unlikely to be an important influence on public stigma of gaming.

Mental Health and Aggression in Indonesian Women

Aggression is a global problem and complex social behavior. In Indonesia, some common manifestations of aggression are sexual harassment, domestic violence, and the stigmatization of other people. However, unlike men, aggression in women is still rarely studied, whereas facts find that many conditions can make women more vulnerable. There are various aspects related to biological, psychological, social, and cultural issues that can potentially provoke female aggression. Furthermore, mental health and aggression are often viewed as an automatic association and are inseparable in society, reinforcing the stigma against people with mental problems, particularly women, who tend to suffer more stigma of mental health issues than men. However, there has not yet been a study explicitly related to this relationship in the general population of women. The current study aims to examine the overall relationship between mental health and aggression in the extensive general population of Indonesian women with various mental conditions ranging from a normal mental state to severe mental health problems. This was a cross-sectional study conducted using uncontrolled quota sampling via distributing online self-report questionnaires, the modified Indonesian version instruments of the Brief Symptoms Rating Scale-5, and the Buss Aggression Scale with high internal consistency. This study among 203 women aged 19-67 in Indonesia, a multicultural nation and the fourth densest country in the world, proposes that mental health can be a predictor of aggressive behavior, with the influence of mental health on the aggression of women being 21.6% only. The finding indicates that mental health issues are not a macro contributing factor to women's aggressiveness in society and may help reduce stigma against women with mental health problems.

Social construction of the image of the psychologist and of the patient: the role of implicit premises

Nowadays, there is a growing consideration of people's mental health through awareness programs, policies, and practices promoted by international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations. Psychologists and patients are major actors in mental health, and their images are socially co-constructed. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of confusion about who "psychologists" and "patients" are or what a psychologist does. This muddle may underline stereotypes and broadly speaking stigma related to mental health. Therefore, confronting directly the ideas of "psychologist" and "patient" could be a little step in challenging stereotypes and making order in the panorama of mental health. In our study, we focus on the implicit contextual premises that shape particular framings around which the images of the psychologist and of the patient are socially and culturally co-constructed. In order to reach this goal, we have investigated the discourses and the multiple points of view behind the social image of the psychologist and of the patient from different sources or contextual domains: psychology online forums, university websites, and an online survey. From a methodological perspective and according to the pragma-dialectical approach, we have identified all the different standpoints and arguments related to the various conceptions of the psychologist and the patient. We have made explicit the implicit premises that lay behind each argumentative inference via the Argumentum Model of Topics. Based on these analyses, we have reconstructed the distinct framings at stake in the different contextual domains. The findings show that implicit contextual premises have huge power in constructing stigmatization in the ideas that lay people have toward the image of the psychologist and of the patient. In particular, we have observed that the more the contextual domain is defined, the more institutional premises dominate over individual ones; on the contrary, in informal contextual domains, heterogenous individual premises are prominent. Our study underlines that it is only by substituting old implicit premises with new unimagined ones that we can change subjacent contextual premises at the very core of stigma and the prototypical world's images.

Stigma management during reintegration of older incarcerated adults with mental health issues: A qualitative analysis

INTRODUCTION

The number of older prisoners with mental health issues released from prisons and forensic psychiatric institutions is rising. Their successful integration is important due to its implications for the public's safety and the individual's health and well-being. However, reintegration efforts are hampered due to the double stigma attached to 'mental illness' and 'incarceration history'. To alleviate the burden of such stigma, affected persons and their social networks employ stigma management strategies. This study sought to investigate the stigma management strategies of mental health professionals supporting older incarcerated adults with mental health issues in their reintegration process.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with 63 mental health professionals from Canada and Switzerland were carried out as part of the overall project. To address the reintegration topic, data from 18 interviews were used. Data analysis followed the thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Mental health professionals emphasized the double stigmatization of their patients which impaired their quest for housing. Lengthy searches for placement frequently resulted in patients' unnecessary long stays in forensic programs. Nevertheless, participants outlined that they were at times successful in finding appropriate housing for their patients due to the use of certain stigma management strategies. They stated that they, first, established initial contacts with outside institutions, second, educated them about stigmatizing labels and, third, provided ongoing collaboration with public institutions.

DISCUSSION

Incarcerated persons with mental health issues face double stigmatization that affects their reentry process. Our findings are interesting as they illustrate ways in which stigma can be reduced, and how the reentry process can be streamlined. Future research should include the perspectives of incarcerated adults with mental health issues to shed more light on the various options that they seek for successful reintegration after imprisonment.

Dimensionality and risk factors of the personal stigma of depression in adults aged 50 years and older at risk of depression

Objectives: Knowledge about the mechanism of the personal stigma of depression may inform strategies to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking. We examined the dimensionality and risk factors of the personal stigma of depression in older adults at risk of depression.Methods: Seven-hundred and one Hong Kong adults aged 50 years and older at risk of depression completed the personal stigma subscale of the depression Stigma Scale (DSS-personal) at two-time points. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore the factor structure of DSS personal and confirmatory factor analysis to examine the model fit of the EFA-informed factor structure and structures proposed in previous studies. Regression analyses examined the relationships between risk factors and personal stigma dimensions.Results: Factor analyses identified a 3-factor structure of DSS-personal resembling the social-cognitive model consistent over time and included stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination (CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.05). Regression analyses indicated all stigma dimensions were associated with older age, less education, and no personal history of depression (B = -0.44 to 0.06); discrimination was also associated with more depressive symptoms (B = 0.10 to 0.12).Conclusion: Findings illustrated the potential theoretical underpinning of DSS-personal. Stigma reduction interventions could target and tailor to older adults with risk factors to enhance effectiveness and promote help-seeking.

The relationships between perceived mental illness prevalence, mental illness stigma, and attitudes toward help-seeking

Previous research suggests that, despite the commonality of mental illness in the United States, the majority of U.S. individuals with mental illness do not seek treatment. One important factor that contributes to this lack of treatment utilization is mental illness stigma. Such stigma may result, in part, from many individuals in the U.S. underestimating the prevalence of mental illness. To test whether this is the case, 638 adults from across the U.S. completed measures related to perceived prevalence of mental illness, private stigma, perceived public stigma, and help-seeking. Findings indicated participants significantly underestimated the given-year prevalence rate of mental illness. The perceived given-year prevalence rate was significantly correlated with lower private stigma and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking. Personal stigma significantly predicted attitudes towards help-seeking. Findings also suggested that individuals who have received mental health services have a higher perceived prevalence rate of mental illness, as well as lower levels of personal stigma and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking. These findings support the notion that helping the general public recognize the true prevalence rate of mental illness could reduce personal mental illness stigma and facilitate help-seeking behaviors. However, future experimental studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors

BACKGROUND

Despite the growth of psychedelic research, psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP) has received little attention in comparison to individual psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy models.

METHODS

In this article, we aim to discuss the therapeutic potential of PAGP, as well as outline existing models and the challenges of this approach. Using Irvin Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy as a basic framework, we analyse current literature from clinical studies and neurobiological research relative to the topic of PAGP.

RESULTS

We argue that combining psychedelic substances and group psychotherapy may prove beneficial for increasing group connectedness and interpersonal learning, potentially enhancing prosocial behaviour with direct opportunities to practice newly acquired knowledge about previously maladaptive behavioural patterns. Challenges regarding this approach include a more rigid therapy structure and potential loss of openness from patients, which may be ameliorated by adequate therapeutic training.

CONCLUSION

We hope for this article to support clinical research on PAGP by presenting a therapeutic framework and outlining its mechanisms and challenges.

The stereotype content model and mental disorders: Distinct perceptions of warmth and competence

This work investigates the perception of eight different mental disorders within the Stereotype Content Model (SCM). The presented study (N = 297) includes a sample representative for the German population in terms of age and gender. Results reveal distinct warmth and competence evaluations for people with different mental disorders, e.g., people with alcohol dependence were seen as less warm and less competent than people with depression or phobia. Future directions and practical implications are discussed.

The stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals: Scoping review and bibliometric analysis

Although research suggests that mental health professionals stigmatize mental illness, studies on this topic are relativity new. Little is known about the state of this research and existing literature reviews exhibit multiple limitations. Accordingly, a scoping review was performed on the endorsed stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals, with the aim of exploring how research is conducted and whether there are gaps in the literature. Studies were included from any time period if they supplied findings on the endorsed stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals. Research was identified through electronic databases (i.e., PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, Scopus) and other sources (i.e., the Griffith University library, Google Scholar, literature reviews). It was found that the research is characterized by a number of limitations, and little progress has been made in this important domain. Among other limitations, there was a lack of comprehensive studies on the relative stigma of mental illness and how the components of stigmatization relate to each other. A bibliometric analysis also found that a large proportion of the research is not connected by references. Recommendations were made with respect to future research in this area.

Public beliefs about trauma and its consequences: Profiles and correlates of stigma

Public stereotypes about trauma exposure and its likely consequences have the potential to influence levels of support extended to survivors in the larger community. The current project sought to examine unique profiles of stereotype endorsement both within and across participants sampled from distinct populations. Trauma-related stereotypes involving symptom course, dangerousness, employability, social functioning, predictability, character, and treatment need were examined in undergraduate (N ₁ = 404; N ₂ = 502) and MTurk (N ₃ = 364) samples. Sympathizing [low overall endorsement], Fearful [high overall endorsement], Pejorative [high endorsement + moralizing beliefs], Safety-Focused [intermediate endorsement + dangerousness], and Performance-Focused [intermediate endorsement + employability] groups were replicated in latent profile models across all samples. Stereotype profiles demonstrated hypothesized associations with general perspectives of mental illness although support for consistent relations with respondent characteristics (e.g., sex; personal exposure to trauma; reported exposure in friends/family) was limited. Data suggest that trauma stereotypes are endorsed at high frequencies in the general community and conform to systematic patterns of prejudice that may be overlooked in more global assessments of stigma.

Predicting different dimensions of schizophrenia-related stigma in Israel: Exploring the applicability of the common sense model of illness

The common sense model of illness is a promising conceptual framework that can promote our understanding of the predictors of schizophrenia-related public stigma. Because stigma is a multidimensional phenomenon, studies on schizophrenia-related stigma need to account for the origins of the various aspects of this phenomenon. This study explored which common sense model of illness components (cognitive and emotional) predicted three distinct indicators of stigma (stereotypes and discrimination on the individual and structural levels). A nonprobability sample of 149 students from one of the largest universities in Israel was drawn. Data were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. We found that five of the nine common sense model of illness variables predicted schizophrenia stereotypes, whereas very few predicted discrimination. Additionally, we found that greater belief in the effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment was associated with lower stereotypes and social-level discrimination. The less the perceived consequences of schizophrenia (the extent to which the illness is perceived to affect one's life), the lower the stereotypes and discrimination (individual and social). The perceived cause of schizophrenia and attribution of personal control over the illness did not predict any stigma dimension. The findings suggest that the common sense model of illness is more suitable for predicting stereotypes than discrimination. More research is needed to understand the unique drivers of different dimensions of stigma. The findings also imply the need to design separate programs to address different aspects of schizophrenia-related stigma.

Cross-race responses to mental illness cues

Much research suggests mental health diagnoses elicit stigmatization of individuals. The current study builds upon this literature at the intersection of same- and cross-race perceptions. Black and White participants viewed Black and White targets paired with either a mental health diagnosis (e.g., depression), a physical health diagnosis (e.g., high blood pressure), or no health information (control) while indicating each target's favorability and how much social distance they would want from them. Overall, people were more stigmatizing toward targets with a mental health diagnosis than a physical health diagnosis or no diagnosis. Black targets with a mental health diagnosis were stigmatized more than White targets with a mental health diagnosis and White participants displayed a greater aversion to Black targets with a mental health diagnosis than did Black participants. Results contribute to the mental health stigma literature and suggest it may be particularly problematic for White perceivers' attitudes toward Black individuals with mental health diagnoses. Findings may shed light on the racial differences in treatment-seeking amongst Black and White individuals.

Stigmatisation of People with Deviant Sexual Interest: A Comparative Study

Background: Pedophilia is a deviant sexual interest subject to more public stigma and punitive attitudes than others. Pedophilia has received a disproportionate amount of scholarly attention in comparison to other deviant sexual interests. To address this, the present study offers a comparison of the public stigma and punitive attitudes associated with pedophilia, fetishism, and hypersexuality. Methods: Recruited in Australia, one-hundred and twelve individuals participated in an anonymous online survey. Stigmatising and punitive attitudes toward pedophilia, fetishism, and hypersexuality were assessed via sub-scales of perceived dangerousness, deviance, intentionality, and punitive attitudes. Results: Participants held harsher punitive attitudes toward people with pedophilia and thought them to be more deviant and dangerous than people with fetishism and hypersexuality. Participants perceived hypersexuality to be more dangerous and deviant than fetishism. No consistent combination of perceived dangerousness, deviance, and intentionality predicted punitive attitudes toward all conditions. Rather, combinations of punitive attitude predictors were unique across conditions. Conclusions: This research articulates the unparalleled public stigma and punitive attitudes faced by people with pedophilia, compared to people with fetishism and hypersexuality. Findings which suggest that public stigma is stronger for hypersexuality than it is for fetishism are relatively novel, as are the observed predictors of punitive attitudes toward each condition. Knowledge produced by this study contributes to an improved conceptualisation of how the public views individuals who experience deviant sexual interests.

Understanding the Determinants of Gambling-Related Intimate Partner Violence: Perspectives From Women Who Gamble

Rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization are higher among women with a gambling problem. However, women's experiences of this violence, from a gendered perspective, have not been examined. Based on interviews with 24 women, this study explored how problem gambling contributes to IPV against women across three levels of influence. Findings reveal that problem gambling did not directly cause IPV, but interacts where gendered drivers and reinforcers are present to exacerbate this violence. Reducing violence against women with a gambling problem requires a coordinated, integrated multidisciplinary approach targeting different levels of influence.

Revisiting Social Stigma in Non-suicidal Self-injury: A Narrative Review

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent in our community. Yet, there is a significant discrepancy between the number of individuals engaging in NSSI and those who seek treatment for NSSI. This discrepancy can be due to the high social stigma associated with the behavior. The impact of NSSI stigma is significant and can impair the quality of life in the individuals engaging in NSSI, delay help-seeking, reduce access to mental health care and further fuel misinformation. Even though the symptomatology, risks, and demographics of NSSI have received attention in terms of research, there is limited literature on NSSI stigma and its consequences. With that background set, this review provides a birds-eye view of the different levels of stigma in NSSI (public, self, and health care), associated discrimination, the various aspects of such stigmatization (NSSI-related language, physical scarring, misinformation, the media), and, finally, the collaborative clinical-outreach interventions for mitigating NSSI-associated social stigma. If NSSI is indeed recognized as a clinical disorder, future research would need to focus on these constructs of stigma and treat them with the same importance as the one given to clinical studies of intervention and symptomatology in NSSI.

PROTOCOL: Group-based community interventions to support the social reintegration of marginalised adults with mental illness

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The main objective is to explore the general efficacy of group-based community interventions aimed at supporting marginalised adults with mental illness and related problems on outcomes such as problem behaviour, subjective well-being, homelessness, poverty and employment. Furthermore, the objective is to explore the potential advantages/disadvantages of using a group-based versus an individual intervention when targeting specific problems or when using specific types of interventions.

Profiling mentally ill offenders in Hong Kong: A 10-year retrospective review study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to analyze the estimated prevalence of mental disorders among offenders and compare the estimated crime rate between mentally ill patients and the total population in Hong Kong.

METHODS

Service data of offenders referred to psychiatrists at the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre from January 2011 to December 2020 were analyzed. Demographic data of gender, age on admission, educational level, principal psychiatric diagnosis, index offense, and assessment outcome were collected.

RESULTS

Data of 7535 offenders (74.8% males) aged 14 to 97 (mean: 41.3 ± 13.7) years were analyzed. More than 60% (66.2%) had a diagnosable mental disorder. The most prevalent principal psychiatric diagnosis was schizophrenia and related disorder (22.8%), followed by mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (18.6%), and mood disorders (8.8%). The commonest index offenses were theft and related offenses (20.5%), followed by acts intended to cause injury (19.7%), and illicit drug offenses (11.6%). The estimated prevalence of mental illness among prison population was 7.1% (male: 8.2%, female: 5.0%). The estimated crime rate for mentally ill patients was found to be 43.3 to 263.2 per 100 000 population.

DISCUSSION

The estimated prevalence of mental disorders among offenders and the estimated crime rate for mentally ill patients are relatively low in Hong Kong. The result was an important effort to document the changing characteristics of mentally ill offenders and provide an estimation of the prevalence and crime rate for mentally ill patients in Hong Kong.

Media Coverage of Pedophilia and Its Impact on Help-Seeking Persons with Pedophilia in Germany—A Focus Group Study

The public stigma associated with pedophilia, the sexual attraction to prepubescent children, is tremendous. Previous research indicates that undifferentiated media coverage plays an essential role in perpetuating the public stigma by falsely equating pedophilia and child sexual abuse (CSA) and thus may stop persons suffering from a pedophilic disorder from seeking professional help. Until now, a comprehensive examination of positive as well as negative media effects on affected individuals is missing. Therefore, the present study explores if and how media coverage impacts the lives of help-seeking persons with pedophilia by conducting four qualitative focus group discussions with a clinical sample (N = 20) from the German Prevention Network “Kein Täter werden”. Present results demonstrate that media coverage of pedophilia was perceived as mostly undifferentiated, even though participants observed an increase in fact-based reporting over the years. Moreover, it seems that media coverage has strong emotional and behavioral consequences for patients (e.g., negative reporting reduced self-esteem). In sum, our results highlight that differentiated media coverage could play a key role in supporting help-seeking persons with pedophilic disorder, while the impact of undifferentiated media coverage appears to be mostly negative. Therefore, our results point to the need to reframe pedophilia using differentiated media coverage to help affected persons receive treatment efficiently and thereby prevent CSA.

The psychometric properties of the Forensic Stigma Scale (FSS)

Three studies examined the psychometric properties of a new scale, the Forensic Stigma Scale (FSS), designed to measure public stigma of forensic patients. In Study 1, the initial item pool was derived to measure three components of stigma (stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination). An EFA (n = 218) identified a two-factor model with 12 items. In Study 2, this two-factor solution was confirmed using CFA with a separate sample (n = 326) which had good-excellent fit indices. All 12 items loaded (> 0.40) on the two latent factors (Dangerousness/Unpredictability [7 items] and Responsibility/Blame [5 items]) identified in the EFA. In Study 3, using the combined samples from the previous two studies, the 12-item FSS showed promising internal consistency reliability (0.75-0.80) and demonstrated satisfactory-good criterion validity; the scale was moderately correlated with a similar construct and was able to differentiate individuals who did and did not have specific education on forensic psychology. IRT analyses demonstrated that both subscales had discrimination parameters in the moderate-high range (α = 1.03 to 2.54), though the threshold parameters (b_i) on the Dangerousness/Unpredictability subscale showed better distribution across trait levels. Overall, the 12-item FSS demonstrates strong psychometric properties, especially the Dangerousness/Unpredictability subscale. The scale may provide clinical and empirical uses for measuring public stigma of forensic patients.

The role of moral explanations and structural inequalities in experiences of mental illness stigma in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

The process of stigmatization within different cultural contexts has long been viewed as essential in understanding the course and outcomes of mental illness. However, little research has examined which cultural constructs and categories are used to explain mental illness, and how they contribute to the way people with mental illness experience stigma and social exclusion, as well as how these beliefs affect healthcare practices. This study examines meanings ascribed to mental illness and experiences of stigma among four groups in urban settings of Minas Gerais, Brazil: persons with mental illness; their families; members of the lay public; and health professionals working at an alternative community-based psychosocial treatment service or a local university hospital. Qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and participant observation, were conducted with a purposive sample of 72 participants. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings suggest that stigma and discrimination are intrinsically rooted in a systemic process of social exclusion generated by meanings ascribed to mental illness and the structural vulnerabilities of the mental healthcare system. The findings further suggest that structural inequality is a powerful factor behind lay concepts of mental illness and that this is particularly harmful because it reinforces personal blame attributions instead of addressing the hidden structural forces that contribute to mental illness. The study highlights the subtle interrelations between cultural beliefs and structural vulnerabilities that should be addressed in mental health policy in order to diminish the effects of stigma on people with mental illnesses.

A systematic review of the evidence relating to disclosure of psychological distress by mental health professionals within the workplace

Objective

To systematically review evidence regarding prevalence and choices of disclosure of psychological distress, by mental health professionals within the workplace.

Methods

Six databases were searched in June 2020. Studies were included if they were published in English language and included empirical quantitative, qualitative or mixed‐methods data. Studies were excluded if they focused on general healthcare professionals or the general population, or on stress or physical health problems. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Quality Appraisal tool.

Results

Nine studies, with a total of 1891 participants, were included. Study quality varied, with studies generally reporting descriptive surveys using hypothetical disclosure scenarios. Distress was often conceptualized in psychiatric terms. These limitations mean conclusions should be treated with caution. Individuals were less likely to disclose in work and had negative experiences of doing so compared to social circles. Fear of stigma inhibited disclosure. There were differing levels of disclosure relating to recipient, trust, quality of supervision, how distress was conceptualized, and type of problem. Disclosure was experienced by some as valuable.

Conclusion

There is a need for further research, which addresses the nuanced complexities surrounding disclosure choices for mental health professionals.

Testimonies and Healing: Anti-oppressive Research with Black Women and the Implications for Compassionate Ethical Care

Anti-oppressive qualitative inquiry can be a powerful tool for members of marginalized communities to engage in storytelling that is both therapeutic and transformative. For individuals navigating marginalization due to multiple systems of stigmatization, the process of telling their story offers the opportunity to engage in awareness raising and health promotion that can benefit their communities. Formerly incarcerated Black women are one such community experiencing multilevel marginalization. This essay explores ways in which the qualitative interview can provide contexts for women to name their experiences of oppression, reconstruct the meanings they attach to them, and channel their stories of navigating harm to promote the health of others. Given the legacy of research atrocities that have disproportionately harmed already-marginalized communities, this piece seeks to advance practices of ethical care and compassion in qualitative inquiry that promote greater health and the building of relational trust in both research and clinical settings.

Primary Health Professionals' Beliefs, Experiences, and Willingness to Treat Minor-Attracted Persons

There is a desire and need among minor-attracted persons (MAPs) to access support within the community, and this often begins with an approach to healthcare providers working in general medical/mental health settings. However, little is known about the experiences of these non-specialist professionals in relation to their beliefs, knowledge, and decision-making processes when working with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. Using an online survey, this study explored the knowledge, comfort, competence, and treatment willingness of 220 non-specialist healthcare providers when faced with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. We investigated how often such disclosures were made, clinician stigma, treatment priorities, and professionals' willingness to report MAPs to external agencies because of their sexual attractions. Some key differences were found when comparing primary medical vs. mental health professionals, including increased likelihood to view MAPs as dangerous, unable to control behaviors and that sexual attractions are an avoidable choice, in the former group. Both groups prioritized mental health treatment targets above controlling attractions and living with stigmatized attractions, although controlling or changing attractions were still relatively high priorities. Results indicated a need for further training, focusing on increasing comfort around working with MAPs, as this was associated with a greater willingness to work with this group. We identify current gaps in service provision for MAPs seeking professional support and discuss recommendations for professional training.

Reliability and Validity of Scores on a Measure of Stigma of Loneliness

The purpose of this study was to validate the use and interpretation of scores derived from the Stigma of Loneliness Scale (SLS) with a sample of college students from a large, Midwestern university. A two-factor oblique solution with 10 items was selected through exploratory factor analysis and cross-validated through confirmatory factor analysis. Correlational evidence was demonstrated through positive correlations with loneliness and shame scores, and a negative correlation with social connectedness scores. Construct evidence was demonstrated through positive correlations with self-concealment and depression scores, and a negative association with distress disclosure scores. For incremental validity, items on the SLS accounted for additional variance in predicting contingent self-worth based on approval from others, shame, self-esteem, and social self-efficacy above and beyond scores on a measure of loneliness. The internal structure of the SLS was invariant across gender groups and across Time 1 and Time 2 assessments.

Barriers to family involvement in the care of patients with chronic mental illnesses: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Caregivers are patients' family members or intimate friends who take care of individuals suffering from chronic mental illnesses without being paid. Evidence has supported the role of family-centered collaborative care in the treatment of patients with chronic mental illnesses. It has also been emphasized by national policies. However, carrying out this type of care is accompanied by challenges in Iran. Considering the importance of family participation in taking care of these patients as well as the necessity to determine its effective factors, the present study aimed to assess the barriers to family involvement in the care of patients with chronic mental illnesses.

METHOD

A conventional content analysis was used to conduct this qualitative study. Thirty four health care providers, patients, and caregivers were interviewed unstructured in-depth face-to-face using purposive sampling. Until saturation of data, sampling and data analysis were conducted simultaneously. Graneheim and Lundman's method was used to record, transcribe, and analyze the interviews.

RESULT

The results showed that there were many barriers to the collaboration of family in the care of patients with chronic mental illnesses. Accordingly, four main categories and twelve subcategories were extracted from the data as follows: "family-related barriers", "treatment-related factors", "disease nature threatening care", and "mental disease-associated stigma in the society".

CONCLUSION

The findings presented the barriers to family centers' collaborative care in patients with chronic mental illnesses and the necessary components of family involvement in the care to be used by healthcare managers and policymakers. The reported barriers emphasize the need for the development of structured approaches whose implementation is easy for health care providers, does not require a lot of time and resources, and can improve patient and family outcomes.

How Does It Feel to Have One's Psychiatric Diagnosis Altered? Exploring Lived Experiences of Diagnostic Shifts in Adult Mental Healthcare

BACKGROUND

Though the socio-emotional significance of psychiatric diagnoses and the frequency of transitions between diagnostic classifications are widely acknowledged, minimal research reveals how "diagnostic shifts" are subjectively experienced by psychiatric service-users.

AIM

This study investigated how adult service-users make sense of diagnostic shifts and their impacts on one's life.

METHODS

Twenty-seven people with self-reported experiences of diagnostic shifts opted into this qualitative study. Virtual narrative interviews invited participants to share their "diagnosis stories." Interview transcripts were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis to identify common and divergent experiences across participants.

RESULTS

Diverse experiences of diagnostic shifts were related: diagnostic shifts could both promote and undermine clinical trust, therapeutic engagement and self-understanding. The analysis suggested that shared and divergent experiences could be attributed to two dimensions of narratives: participants' Interpretations of Diagnostic Shifts and Diagnosis-Specific Factors. Regarding the former, analysis produced a typology of three possible interpretations of diagnostic shifts, which were linked with consistently different antecedents, experiences and consequences. The latter dimension captured how experiences of diagnostic shifts also hinged on the unique meanings ascribed to the specific diagnoses gained and lost, particularly in relation to their perceived severity, stigma, personal associations, and related communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings revealed how diagnostic shifts can be experienced as both traumatic and life-enhancing, depending on their social and subjective context. Understanding the range and predictors of variable experiences of diagnostic shifts is vital for sensitive clinical practice and communication.

Stigma and discrimination tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors: Evidence from a nationwide population-based survey in Ghana

Historically, infectious diseases have generated fears among populations. Unhealthy handling of these fears result in the stigma and discrimination of infected patients. Globally, measures taken so far by governments to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, although helpful, have created fears in people. Consequently, there are reported Ghanaian media cases of stigmatisation against persons who were infected and recovered from COVID-19. However, these reports remain unsubstantiated. This study, therefore, sought to examine stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors among the adult population in Ghana. This was a population-based cross-sectional study among 3,259 adults. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression were employed in analysing the data. Knowledge on COVID-19 was poor among 33.6% of the participants. Forty-three per cent had a good attitude towards COVID-19. Nearly half (45.9%) exhibited stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors. Participants who had poor COVID-19 related knowledge (aOR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.59-2.29, p<0.001) and poor attitude towards COVID-19 (aOR = 5.83, 95% CI = 4.85-6.98, p<0.001) were more likely to exhibit stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors. Our study found relatively high proportions of poor knowledge and negative attitudes towards COVID-19. Stigma and discriminatory tendencies were consequently high. Our findings call for increased public education on COVID-19 by the Ghana Health Service and the Information Services Department, to increase the level of knowledge on the pandemic while reducing stigma and discrimination associated with it.

How Video Streamers' Mental Health Disclosures Affect Viewers' Risk Perceptions

Celebrities' self-disclosures about their mental health issues can enhance public awareness of mental illness such as depression. As online live streaming becomes a popular choice for media entertainment, microcelebrities such as video streamers may have similar influence over their audience. Using an online survey (N = 474), this study examined how exposure to streamers' depression disclosures affected the viewer's perceptions toward the streamers and depression. We also examined how parasocial relationships, parasocial interactions, and identification with streamers were associated with 1) the viewers' perceived authenticity and credibility toward the streamers, 2) as well as increases in the viewers' perceived prevalence, risk susceptibility, and risk severity about mental health. The study demonstrates a strong association between streamers' health disclosures and public awareness regarding depression. The study extends previous studies around celebrity influencers as a promising opportunity for reducing social stigma around mental health discussions. The study also advances our theoretical understanding of microcelebrities' social influence in a new media context.

Associations among weight-based teasing distress, impulsive emotion regulation, and loss of control eating in racially and ethnically diverse young men

According to affect regulation models, distress associated with weight-based teasing may be related to loss of control (LOC) eating. Maladaptive coping strategies may further exacerbate this association, but such hypotheses have not been evaluated in men. The purpose of the current study was to examine the association between distress from weight-based teasing and LOC eating in racially and ethnically diverse young men. The degree to which men engage in impulsive behavior when distressed was investigated as a moderating variable. Exploratory analyses examined the proposed associations within racial/ethnic identity groups. The current study included 1011 young men (18-30 years, M_age = 23.9 ± 3.6 y, 28.3% non-Hispanic White; 23.4% African American; 24.3% Hispanic/Latino; 23.8% Asian/Asian American). Participants completed an online survey with measures of weight-based teasing, LOC eating frequency, engagement in impulsive behavior when distressed, and demographics. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index, there was a positive association between distress from weight-based teasing and LOC eating frequency (p < .001). In the full sample, the tendency to engage in impulsive behavior when distressed exacerbated this link (p < .01). Exploratory analyses revealed the moderating effect of impulsive coping on distress from teasing was significant in non-Hispanic White men, but was not significant for all others. These findings suggest that men are not immune to the negative correlates of weight-based teasing. LOC eating may function as a maladaptive coping mechanism, or may be an artifact of the disordered eating symptoms that can emerge during extreme efforts to obtain a thinner physique.

Opioid Use Disorder Stigma, Discrimination, and Policy Attitudes in a National Sample of U.S. Young Adults

PURPOSE

A small fraction of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) receives appropriate care. Public opinion about addiction contributes to the availability and accessibility of effective treatment services. Little is known about such attitudes toward OUD among young adults, a population at heightened risk for OUD onset. The current study examined endorsement of social stigma, discrimination, and policy attitudes about OUD and hypothesized correlates of such attitudes (familiarity with OUD, criminal justice involvement, respondent demographic characteristics).

METHODS

A national sample of 190 young adults (weighted n = 408; 69% female, 42% White, non-Hispanic) aged 19-29 years completed web and telephone surveys covering opioid social stigma, discrimination, policy attitudes, personal experience with opioids, and criminal justice, and participant characteristics (age, sex, race, education, employment, income). Linear regressions were performed to examine associations between respondent characteristics and attitudes.

RESULTS

Young adults, on average, endorsed moderate levels of stigma and discrimination toward people with OUD and support for treatment-oriented policies. Stigma was positively associated with discrimination and negatively associated with support for policies favorable to people with OUD. Regression results revealed that more negative attitudes toward OUD were endorsed as a function of older age and less personal experience or familiarity with OUD.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterogeneity in young adults' attitudes about OUD may be explained, in part, by personal characteristics and familiarity with OUD. Adolescence may be an opportune developmental period to prevent or reduce public stigma related to OUD and MOUD and increase public attitudes in support of expanded access to effective OUD treatments.

Characterizing the perceived stigma towards mental health in the early implementation of an integrated services model in primary care in Colombia. A qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

Stigma is a sociocultural barrier to accessing mental health services and prevents individuals with mental health disorders from receiving mental health care. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia acknowledges that a great number of people with mental disorders do not seek medical aid due to stigma.

OBJECTIVES

Characterise the perceived stigma towards mental health among the stakeholders involved in the early implementation of the DIADA project [Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (Detection and Integrated Care for Depression and Alcohol Use in Primary Care)]. Explore whether the implementation of this model can decrease stigma. Describe the impact of the implementation on the lives of patients and medical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen stakeholders (7 patients, 5 physicians and 6 administrative staff) were interviewed and a secondary data analysis of 24 interview transcripts was conducted using a rapid analysis technique.

RESULTS

The main effects of stigma towards mental health disorders included refusing medical attention, ignoring illness, shame and labelling. Half of the stakeholders reported that the implementation of mental health care in primary care could decrease stigma. All of the stakeholders said that the implementation had a positive impact.

CONCLUSIONS

The perceived stigma was characterised as social and aesthetic in nature. Communication and awareness about mental health is improving, which could facilitate access to mental health treatment and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. Culture is important for understanding stigma towards mental health in the population studied.

Exploring the Public Perception of Depression: Interplay between the Attribution of Cause and Narrative Persuasion

Improving awareness and mitigating stigma related to depression have been a concern to both health communicators and practitioners. This study conducted a 2 (narrative vs. non-narrative) × 2 (high controllability vs. low controllability) experiment (N = 242) to test the interaction effects of narrative persuasion and cause controllability of depression. The results show that narrative messages attributing depression to an uncontrollable cause increase identification, feeling of pity, and intention to help. However, the study finds that the positive effects of narrative messages are conditional, and they may be less effective than non-narrative messages when the cause of depression is controllable. Also, the findings suggest identification as the underlying mechanism of such interaction effects on emotional and behavioral responses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed further.

Can Intergroup Contact in Virtual Reality (VR) Reduce Stigmatization Against People with Schizophrenia?

People with mental disorders such as schizophrenia do not only suffer from the symptoms of their disorders but also from the stigma attached to it. Although direct intergroup contact is an effective tool to reduce stigmatization, it is rare in real life and costly to be established in interventions, and the success of traditional media campaigns is debatable. We propose Virtual Reality (VR) as a low-threshold alternative for establishing contact since it involves less barriers for affected and unaffected persons. In a 2 + 1 experiment (n = 114), we compared the effects of encounters with a person with schizophrenia through a VR video with contact through a regular video and no contact at all on anxiety, empathy, social proximity, and benevolence towards people with schizophrenia. We found that contact via VR reduced stigmatization only for participants who liked the person encountered. Our data suggest that it is crucial how participants evaluate the person that they encounter and that stronger perception of spatial presence during reception plays an important role, too. Therefore, we discussvarious boundary conditions that need to be considered in VR interventions and future research on destigmatization towards mental disorders, especially schizophrenia.

The Association between Maladaptive Coping and Treatment Motivation in Individuals who are Sexually Attracted to Children Living in the Community

There is a need for community treatment programs for people who are sexually attracted to children, but individuals report difficulty accessing services. Individuals who are sexually attracted to children (n = 293) completed an online anonymous survey that revealed a significant positive association between maladaptive coping and two factors of the treatment motivation measure. The association between maladaptive coping and treatment motivation was attenuated at higher levels of ego dystonic distress/aversion. Results highlight the importance of targeting stigma toward those who are sexually attracted to children to increase treatment seeking behavior.

Schwachsinnig und abartig? Wahrgenommene Stigmatisierung und tatsächliche Etikettierungseffekte der alten und modernisierten Eingangsmerkmale in § 20 Strafgesetzbuch (StGB)

Bei der Beurteilung der Schuldfähigkeit eines Beschuldigten nach §§ 20, 21 StGB muss zunächst beurteilt werden, ob ein Eingangsmerkmal vorliegt, das verminderte oder reduzierte Schuldfähigkeit bedingen könnte, sowie ob dieses Eingangsmerkmal den Beschuldigten hinreichend in Einsichts- und/oder Steuerungsfähigkeit beeinflusst. Die bislang geltenden Eingangsmerkmale sind z. T. als veraltet und stigmatisierend kritisiert worden – insbesondere die der schweren anderen seelischen Abartigkeit und des Schwachsinns –, sodass im Jahr 2019 ein Gesetz zur Änderung des Strafgesetzbuches vorgelegt wurde, das eine Modernisierung der Begriffe beinhaltet. Die vorliegende Studie überprüft erstmals, ob die verschiedenen Begriffe (Intelligenzminderung vs. Schwachsinn; seelische Störung vs. seelische Abartigkeit) als unterschiedlich stigmatisierend wahrgenommen werden und zu unterschiedlicher Personenwahrnehmung führen. Zu diesem Zweck füllten 208 Personen, darunter rechtspsychologische Laien (n = 131) und Personen mit Vorwissen (n = 77), Onlinefragebogen aus, in denen sie sowohl anhand von Fallvignetten u. a. Schuldfähigkeit, Gefährlichkeit und Einsichtsfähigkeit von Personen einschätzen mussten als auch die unterschiedlichen Eingangsmerkmale direkt beurteilten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die überarbeiteten Begriffe als signifikant juristisch angemessener, positiver konnotiert, weniger stigmatisierend und weniger abwertend eingestuft werden. Auch bei einer qualitativen Untersuchung von Assoziationen der Probanden zu den jeweiligen Begriffen zeigten sich deutlich negativere Konnotationen der alten Begriffe. Gleichzeitig zeigte sich jedoch, dass sich die Bewertung von Individuen, die jeweils mit diesen Begriffen betitelt wurden, nicht unterschied, auch nicht bei rechtspsychologischen Laien. Sowohl rechtspsychologische Laien als auch Personen mit Vorwissen haben demnach zwar eindeutige Ansichten zu den vorliegenden Begriffen, diese wirken sich jedoch nicht signifikant auf ihre Personenwahrnehmung aus.

Health congruence paradox in older adults: Contribution of cognition and relational visits

The health congruence paradox can have important implications for those working with older adults as older adults' health understanding may be vague or directed toward health concerns other than those medically identified. Objective health was measured as diagnosed conditions from medical records. Two measures of subjective health were obtained through relational visits of university students, 1) health concerns older adults reported on a visit survey, 2) health concerns students reported during casual conversation. The results showed that community dwelling older adults with lower cognitive functioning ability were more susceptible to the health congruence paradox on the subjective measure of the survey report. Qualitative analysis of health concerns from subjective measures found older adults most concerned about health conditions impacting daily functioning, such as mobility and cognition, but not diagnosed hypertension. This mixed methods study confirmed the importance of understanding older adults' subjective health with measures easily obtained through relational visits with university students.

Meeting a person with pedophilia: Attitudes towards pedophilia among psychology students: A pilot study

People with pedophilia (PWP) are highly stigmatized. Public opinion is strongly pre-consolidated – it is often assumed that every PWP commits child sex offenses. This presumption not only affects PWP negatively. Research suggests that this stigmatization may cohere with PWP actually committing child sex offenses. Various recent studies have investigated different kinds of anti-stigma interventions and their effectiveness. Direct contact to a PWP has not yet been investigated. The present pilot study aimed at finding out whether a dichotomous anti-stigma intervention can change psychology students’ attitudes towards PWP regarding perceived dangerousness, intentionality, deviance, and punitive attitudes. In a one sample pre-post design, we presented 162 students of the University of Groningen with both an educational lecture and direct contact to a PWP. Participants learned about child sex offending and pedophilia. Then, Gabriel, a PWP shared his experiences about growing up, coping, and living with pedophilia. Results of the one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significantly diminished negative attitudes towards PWP after the intervention. Students perceived PWP as less dangerous, having less intent, and being less psychologically deviant. Additionally, students’ punitive attitudes towards PWP diminished significantly. Also, a thematic analysis revealed that students were highly interested in the topic of pedophilia and greatly appreciative of Gabriel sharing his story. This pilot study was the first to provide evidence for the effectiveness of a combination of an educational lecture and direct contact to a PWP as an anti-stigma intervention.

Socioeconomic status and mental illness stigma: the impact of mental illness controllability attributions and personal responsibility judgments

BACKGROUND

Prior research has suggested that higher levels of socioeconomic status (SES) may be linked with heightened mental illness stigma (MIS). It has been posited that this link is due to the resource-rich environment high-SES individuals live in, which predisposes them to seeing the certain phenomena as being more controllable in nature than low-SES individuals.

AIMS

The current study intended to address the attributional mechanisms behind the SES-MIS link.

METHODS

In a sample of 932 participants, we collected self-reported SES along with the controllability attributions and personal responsibility judgments participants make for individuals with mental illnesses.

RESULTS

Analyses indicated that SES was significantly associated with greater MIS levels, and that this link was significantly mediated by controllability attributions and personal responsibility judgments.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that high-SES individuals are more likely to see mental illness as due to internal, controllable factors, which leads to blaming the individual for mental illness onset and, ultimately, greater mental illness stigma. These results provide support for more socioeconomically diverse committees and panels where mental health funding decisions are made due to inherent attributional biases which may be present along the SES spectrum.