The Important Role of Stereotypes in the relation between Mental Health Literacy and Stigmatization of Depression and Psychosis in the Community

• DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00842-5
• Publication Date: 2021-05-26T10:02:52Z
• Authors: Carolin M. Doll; Chantal Michel; Linda T. Betz; Benno G. Schimmel...; Frauke Schultze-L...
• Keywords: Mental health literacy; Vignette; Causal model

Abstract Increased mental health literacy (MHL) has not reduced stigmatization of people with disorder. Thus, we examined the role stereotypes in interplay MHL (correct labelling, causal explanations) and wish for social distance (WSD) from depressive psychotic symptoms a community sample 1526 German-speaking participants Swiss ‘Bern Epidemiological At-Risk’ study (age 16–40 years; response rate: 60.1%). Following presentation an unlabelled case vignette depression or psychosis, MHL, WSD were assessed questionnaire survey. Their interrelations studied using structural equation modelling. was directly linked to WSD, only psychosocial model negatively associated WSD. Perceived dangerousness particularly increased this by biogenetic decreased model. Awareness-campaigns that, next biological causes, emphasize causes disorders might better reduce stigmatization.