Bernice A. Pescosolido|Jack Martin|J. Scott Long|Tait R. Medina|Jo C. Phelan|Bruce G. Link
“A Disease Like Any Other”? A Decade of Change in Public Reactions to Schizophrenia, Depression, and Alcohol Dependence
objective clinicians advocates policy makers presented mental illnesses medical diseases efforts overcome low service use poor adherence rates stigma authors examined impact approach 10year comparison public endorsement treatment prejudice method authors analyzed responses vignettes mental health modules 1996 2006 general social survey describing individuals meeting dsmiv criteria schizophrenia major depression alcohol dependence explore whether public 1 embraces neurobiological understandings mental illness 2 endorses treatment providers including psychiatrists 3 reports community acceptance rejection people disorders multivariate analyses examined whether acceptance neurobiological causes increased treatment support lessened stigma results 2006 67 public attributed major depression neurobiological causes compared 54 1996 high proportions respondents endorsed treatment general increases proportion endorsing treatment doctors specific increases proportions endorsing psychiatrists treatment alcohol dependence 61 1996 79 2006 major depression 75 1996 85 2006 social distance perceived danger associated people disorders decrease significantly holding neurobiological conception disorders increased likelihood support treatment generally unrelated stigma associated effect increase decrease community rejection conclusions public embraces neurobiological understanding mental illness view translates support services decrease stigma reconfiguring stigma reduction strategies may require providers advocates shift emphasis competence inclusion