Stigma of Mental Illness Based on Help-Seeking Behavior and Culture

The stigma associated with mental illness (MI) may exacerbate the underutilization of mental health services by ethnic minorities.  Stigmatized help-sources (e.g., psychiatrists) have been linked to lower levels of treatment seeking.  The objective of this research was to examine participants’ responses toward help-seekers who pursue treatment from sources associated with MI.  This study utilized a mental illness (schizophrenia, depression, control) x help-source (physician, psychiatrist, no help) x participant race (Asian, Latino, White) between-participants design.  Data were collected from students at San Diego State University (N = 285).  Participants read one of nine hypothetical vignettes that included manipulations of the MI the person described experienced as well as manipulations of the help source from which he sought treatment; social distance was used to measure stigma.  In line with hypotheses, results revealed that, in general, SZ and DP were stigmatized more than the control condition.  As predicted, Asian participants desired more social distance from targets described with MI who were seeking help rather than seeking no help at all.  Unexpectedly, Latino participants desired more social distance from targets described with MI who were seeking no help rather than seeking help.  The current findings replicate previous research on stigma of MI among ethnic minorities, at least among Asians with regard to DP, and extend it by examining SZ.  As the literature is limited, future research should examine further the construct of cultural stigma toward a variety of mental disorders to better understand the reasons behind cultural differences in the stigma of help-seeking patients.