Claire O’Driscoll|Caroline Heary|Eilis Hennessy|Lynn McKeague
Explicit and implicit stigma towards peers with mental health problems in childhood and adolescence
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway|Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway|University College Dublin|University College Dublin
children adolescents mental health problems widely reported problems peer relationships however studies explored way children regarded peers example little known nature peer stigmatisation published research investigated implicit attitudes thus ensuring stigma well understood address issue current study explored patterns explicit implicit stigmatisation peers depression attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adhdthe sample 385 children 1021 years adolescents 1536 years participants completed questionnaire assessing explicit stigma towards age gendermatched peer adhd depression another peer normal issues described vignettes also completed modified version implicit association test iat explored implicit attitudes towards target peersquestionnaire data indicated peer adhd perceived negatively peer depression dimensions stigma except perceived dangerousness fear contrast iat findings suggest participants negative views peer depression peer adhd specifically findings demonstrate adolescent males demonstrated significantly stronger negative implicit evaluations depression compared younger males adolescent femaleschildren adolescents demonstrate stigmatising responses peers common mental health problems nature extent responses depends type problem type measurement used findings highlight importance using explicit implicit measures stigma