The Subtle Side of Stigma: Understanding and Reducing Mental Illness Stigma from a Contemporary Prejudice Perspective. (4th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Young, Rebecca E.; Goldberg, Joel O.; Struthers, C. Ward; McCann, Doug; Phills, Curtis E.
• Editors: Bogart, Kathleen R.; Dunn, Dana S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of social issues. Volume 75:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 943
• Page End: 971
• Publication Date: 2019-08-04
• Subjects: Social problems -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Sociology; Psychology, Social; Problèmes sociaux -- Périodiques; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; États-Unis -- Conditions sociales -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 305
• DOI: 10.1111/josi.12343
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4537

Abstract

Abstract: Ableism, as it relates to mental illness, is a serious social issue that exists across nations and cultures. Implicit stigma caused by ableism can be especially problematic given that it is typically expressed subtly and automatically causing it to remain unnoticed and thus unchanged. This research illustrated across two studies that individuals have automatic ableist attitudes toward mental illness, yet the expression of stigma depends on the combination of their implicit and explicit attitudes. Furthermore, Study 2 was the first to demonstrate an effective intervention designed to specifically target implicit stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness. The findings have implications for implementing social policies that serve to raise awareness of and reduce implicit stigma to ultimately improve the lives for those affected by mental illness.