Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T06:37:50.120Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Changes in the perception of mental illness stigma in Germany over the last two decades

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

Matthias C. Angermeyer ,
Herbert Matschinger ,
Mauro G. Carta  and
Georg Schomerus
Matthias C. Angermeyer*
Affiliation:
Center for Public Mental Health, Untere Zeile 13, A-3482Gösing am Wagram, Austria Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy
Herbert Matschinger
Affiliation:
Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University of Hamburg, Germany
Mauro G. Carta
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy
Georg Schomerus
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Germany HELIOS Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Germany
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 664 43 53 199. E-mail address:angermeyer@aon.an (M.C. Angermeyer).
Get access

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the evolution of the perception of the stigma attached to mental illness in Germany since 1990 up to the present.

Subjects and methods

Population surveys were conducted in the old German States (former Federal Republic of Germany) in 1990, 2001, and 2011. The perception of stigma attached to people with mental illness was assessed with the help of Link's perceived discrimination and devaluation scale.

Results

In the 2011 survey, less mental illness stigma was perceived by respondents than in the previous surveys. In the eyes of the German public, the devaluation and rejection of people with mental illness has substantially decreased since 1990.

Discussion

The perception of a decline of the stigmatization is in contrast to the development of the German public's attitudes towards persons with mental disorders, which remained unchanged or even worsened.

Conclusion

Perceived and personal attitudes towards persons with mental illness have developed differently, and it remains to be seen whether perceptions of less public stigma will ultimately be followed by improved personal attitudes.

Keywords

Perceived stigmaMental illnessTime trendPopulation survey
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 29 , Issue 6 , August 2014 , pp. 390 - 395
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2014

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Angermeyer, M.C., Beck, M., Dietrich, S., Holzinger, A.The stigma of mental illness: patients’ anticipations and experiences. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2004;50:153–162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Angermeyer, M.C., Holzinger, A., Carta, M.G., Schomerus, G.Biogenetic explanations and public acceptance of mental illness. A systematic review of population studies. Br J Psychiatry 2011;199:367–372.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Angermeyer, M.C., Holzinger, A., Matschinger, H.Mental health literacy and attitude towards people with mental illness: a trend analysis based on population surveys in the eastern part of Germany. Eur Psychiatry 2009;24:225–232.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Angermeyer, M.C., Matschinger, H.Causal beliefs and attitudes to people with schizophrenia – trend analysis based on data from two population surveys in Germany. Br J Psychiatry 2005;186:331–334.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Angermeyer, M.C., Matschinger, H.The stigma of mental illness in Germany: a trend analysis. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2005;51:276–284.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Angermeyer, M.C., Matschinger, H., Schomerus, G.Attitudes towards psychiatric treatment and people with mental illness: Changes over two decades. Br J Psychiatry 2013;203:146–151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bateson, C.D.Altruism in humans. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.Google Scholar
Bateson, C.D., Polycarpou, M.P., Harmon-Jones, E., Imhoff, H.J., Mitchener, E.C., Bednar, L.L.et al.Empathy and attitudes: Can feeling of a member of a stigmatized group improve feelings towards the group?. J Person Soc Psychol 1997;72:105–118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Callard, F., Sartorius, N., Arboleda-Flórez, J., Bartlett, P., Helmchen, H., Stuart, H.et al.Mental illness, discrimination and the law. Fighting for social justice. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 2012.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, J., Gawley, A.The triumph of pharmaceuticals: the portrayal of depression from 1980 to 2005. Adm Policy Ment Health 2009;36:91–101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Freidl, M., Piralic-Spitzl, S., Grohe, N., Aigner, M.Association between fear of stigma, depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with somatoform pain disorder. Psychiat Prax 2012;39:263–266.Google ScholarPubMed
Gaebel, W., Ahrens, W., Schlamann, P.Konzeption und Umsetzung von Interventionen zur Entstigmatisierung seelischer Erkrankungen: Empfehlungen und Ergebnisse aus Forschung und Praxis. Berlin: Aktionsbündnis Seelische Gesundheit; 2010.Google Scholar
Grausgruber, A., Schöny, W., Grausgruber-Berner, R., Koren, G., Apor, B.F., Wancata, J.et al.Schizophrenie hat viele Gesichter“–Evaluierung der österreichischen Anti-Stigma-Kampagne 2000-2002. Psychiat Prax 2009;36:327–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heiser, W.J.Undesired nonlinearities in nonlinear multivariate analysis. Leiden: University of Leiden; 1985.Google Scholar
Heiser, W.J., Meulmann, J.J.Homogeneity analysis: exploring the distribution of variables and their nonlinear relationships. In: Greenacre, M., Blasius, J. editor. Correspondence analysis in the social sciences: recent developments and applications. London San Diego: Academic Press; 1994. p. 179–209.Google Scholar
Kwekkeboom, M.H.Social draagvlak voor de vermaatschappelijking in de geestelijke Gesondheitdswetenschappen. Ontwikkelingen tussen 1976 en 1997. Tijdschr Gezondheitswetenschappen 2000;78:165–171.Google Scholar
Lewison, G., Roe, P., Wentworth, A., Szmukler, G.The reporting of mental disorders research in British media. Psychol Med 2012;42:435–441.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Link, B.G., Cullen, F.T., Struening, E., Shrout, P., Dohrenwend, B.P.A modified labeling theory approach in the area of mental disorders. An empirical assessment. Am Sociol Rev 1989;54:100–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lundberg, B., Hansson, L., Wentz, E., Björkman, T.Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to devaluation/discrimination and rejection experiences among users of mental health services. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2007;42:295–300.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Matschinger, H., Angermeyer, M.C., Link, B.G.Variationen der Antwortstrukturen in Abhängigkeit vom Grad persönlicher Betroffenheit. Eine Methodenstudie am Beispiel der “Discriminatioin-Devaluation-Scale”. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 1991;41:278–283.Google Scholar
Mechanic, D., McAlpine, D., Rosenfield, S., Davis, D.Effects of illness attribution and depression on the quality of life among persons with serious mental illness. Soc Sci Med 1994;39:155–164.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mehta, N., Kassam, A., Leese, M., Butler, G., Thornicroft, G.Public attitudes towards people with mental illness in England and Scotland, 1994-2003. Br J Psychiatry 2009;194:278–284.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pescosolido, B.A., Martin, J.K., Long, J.S., Medina, T.R., Phelan, J.C., Link, B.G.“A disease like any other?” A decade of change in public reactions to schizophrenia, depression and alcohol dependence. Am J Psychiatry 2010;167:1321–1330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Read, J., Cain, A.A literature review and metaanalysis of drug company-funded mental health websites. Acta Psychiat Scand 2013. [Epub ahead of print].CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reavley, N.J., Jorm, A.F.Stigmatising attitudes towards people with mental disorders: changes in Australia over 8 years. Psychiatr Res 2012;197:302–306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schomerus, G., Matschinger, H., Angermeyer, M.C.Causal attributions and social distance towards persons with mental illness: a comparative analysis of schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism. Psychol Med 2013 [Epub ahead of print].Google Scholar
Schomerus, G., Matschinger, H., Kenzin, D., Breier, P., Angermeyer, M.C.Public attitudes towards mental patients: a comparison between Novosibirsk, Bratislava and German cities. Eur Psychiatry 2006;21:436–441.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schomerus, G., Schwahn, C., Holzinger, A., Corrigan, P.W., Grabe, H.J., Carta, M.G.et al.Evolution of public attitudes about mental illness. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2012;125:440–452.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schriever, B.F.Order dependence. Amsterdam: Free University of Amsterdam; 1985.Google Scholar
Schulze, B., Richter-Werling, M., Matschinger, H., Angermeyer, M.C.Crazy? So what! Project weeks on mental health and illness. Their effect on secondary school students’ attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2003;107:142–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Statacorp, Stata Statistical Software. Release 12. College Station. TX: Stat Press; 2011.Google Scholar
Stengler-Wenzke, , Beck, M., Holzinger, A., Angermeyer, M.C.Stigmatisierungserfahrungen von Patienten mit Zwangserkrankungen. Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2004;72:7–13.Google Scholar
Thornicroft, G., Brohan, E., Rose, D., Sartorius, N., Leese, M., for the INDIGO Study Group Global pattern of experienced and anticipated discrimination against people with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional survey. Lancet 2009;373:408–415.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Uçok, A., Brohan, E., Rose, D., Sartorius, N., Leese, M., Yoon, C.K.et al.Anticipated discrimination among people with schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2012;125:77–83.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
United Nations, Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and optional protocol. New York: The United Nations; 2006.Google Scholar
Van Rijckevorsel, J.L.A.The application of fuzzy coding and horseshoes in multiple correspondence analysis. Leiden: DSWO Press; 1987.Google Scholar
Wciórka, B., Wciórka, J.Stereotyp i dystans-choroby psychiczne i chorzy psychicznie w opinii spo ecze stwa polskiego (1996 i 1999). Poszepy Psychiatr Neurol 2000;9:353–382.Google Scholar
Weiner, B.On sin versus sickness. A theory of perceived responsibility and social motivation. Am Psychologist 1993;48:957–965.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
WHO European Ministerial Conference on Mental Health Mental Health Declaration for Europe. 2005 WHO Europe; Helsinki.Google Scholar
Yanos, P.T., Roe, D., Markus, K., Lysaker, P.H.Pathways between internalized stigma and outcomes related to recovery in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Psychiatr Serv 2008;59:1437–1442.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.