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Stigmatizing attributions about mental illness
Author(s) -
Corrigan Patrick W.,
River L. Philip,
Lundin Robert K.,
Wasowski Kyle Uphoff,
Campion John,
Mathisen James,
Goldstein Hillel,
Bergman Maria,
Gag Christine,
Kubiak Mary Anne
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6629(200001)28:1<91::aid-jcop9>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - attribution , psychology , mental illness , psychiatry , mental health , addiction , clinical psychology , controllability , stigma (botany) , psychosis , substance abuse , social psychology , mathematics
Work and housing opportunities of persons with psychosis, substance abuse disorder, and other mental illnesses are significantly hampered by societal stigma. Earlier research by Weiner and colleagues (1988) examined stigmatizing attitudes associated with general health disabilities in terms of attributions about the controllability and stability of these disabilities. The relevance of this model for describing attributions about four psychiatric disorders is examined in this study. One hundred and fifty two adults rated four psychiatric groups (cocaine addiction, depression, psychosis, and mental retardation) and two physical health groups (cancer and AIDS) on six items corresponding with controllability and stability attributions. Findings from a factor analysis supported the distinction between controllability and stability factors. Results also suggested that mental health disabilities were rated more negatively on these factors than physical disabilities. Participants clearly discriminated among mental health disabilities, with cocaine addiction rated most negative in terms of controllability and mental retardation rated most negative in terms of stability. Attribution analyses provide useful information for changing the community's reactions to persons with mental illness. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.