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Effectiveness of stigma reduction strategies for the mentally ill

Author

Tracy E. Oliver, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Roseann Hannon

First Committee Member

Gary N. Howells

Second Committee Member

Cris Clay

Abstract

Prior research has indicated that public stigma towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness may be reduced by exposing individuals to the truths about mental illness and by exposing individuals to a mentally ill person who by society's standards is a productive functioning adult. This study detemined whether the conditions shown to be effective for the public may, in turn, decrease the extent to which individuals diagnosed with mental illness stigmatizes themselves. Four conditions (education alone, contact alone, education-contact, control) were used to determine which method was more effective in reducing the effects of stigma. Stigma was measured using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness total and subscale scores and Devaluation-Discrimination Scale which were administered before the treatment session (pre), at the end of the treatment session (post), and at a 2-week follow-up. Conducting 4 (condition) X 3 (time) ANOVAs showed no significant results for any measure. Due to low power from poor participation-in-the-2--week-follow-up, 4 x 2 mixed_factorial ANOVA's were conducted without the follow-up data. The ISMI and Devaluation-Discrimination scores for each condition differed significantly for pre/post scores but not for conditions, with no significant interactions.

Pages

87

Recommended Citation

Oliver, Tracy E.. (2007). Effectiveness of stigma reduction strategies for the mentally ill. University of the Pacific, Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/654