Bernice A. Pescosolido|Tait R. Medina|Jack Martin|J. Scott Long
The “Backbone” of Stigma: Identifying the Global Core of Public Prejudice Associated With Mental Illness
Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University Bloomington
used stigma global contextmental health study assess core sentiments represent consistent salient public health intervention targetsdata 16 countries employed nationally representative sampling strategy international collaboration instrument development case vignettes diagnostic statistical manual mental disorders fourth edition depression schizophrenia criteria measured knowledge prejudice existing questions scales employed exploratory data analysis examine public response 43 itemsacross countries levels recognition acceptance neurobiological attributions treatment endorsement high however core 5 prejudice items consistently high even countries low overall stigma levels levels generally lower depression schizophrenia exclusionary sentiments intimate venues authoritybased roles showed greatest stigma negative responses schizophrenia depression highly correlated across countriesthese results challenge researchers reconfigure measurement strategies policymakers reconsider efforts improve population mental health efforts prioritize inclusion integration competences reduction cultural barriers recognition response recovery